Citing pending litigation, the California Apartment Association has urged Marin County supervisors to defer work on an ordinance that would force rental property owners to participate in the Section 8 program.
Despite CAA’s objections, county supervisors are scheduled to formally adopt such a law at their Nov. 8 meeting. The board granted preliminary approval of the proposal, an “ordinance to establish source of income protection,” on Oct. 25.
Yet as the Board of Supervisors considers its measure, the city of Santa Monica is embroiled in a lawsuit challenging its adoption of a similar ordinance.
Mallori Spilker, CAA’s vice president of public affairs for the region, urged supervisors to delay action until the Santa Monica matter is resolved.
While the goals of the Section 8 program are laudable, many housing providers are reticent about participating, pointing to the program’s requirement that owners abide by federal regulations that differ from state and local laws. Moreover, the program forces owners to work with a third party, the local housing agency, and many owners believe that local housing agencies and their complex rules and regulations compromise the performance and financial viability of their properties.
To help mitigate these concerns, CAA worked with the county in creating the Landlord Partnership Program, which offers incentives to boost voluntary participation in Section 8.
Spilker said this effort should be given a chance to work.
“Within the first week of launching, the Landlord Partnership Program is undeniably proving to be successful,” Spilker wrote in a letter to the board. “CAA wishes to maintain this forward momentum, and continue to partner with the county and Marin Housing Authority to garner increased support from local housing providers for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.”
Related content:
- Marin County considers law prohibiting discrimination against users of housing vouchers (Marin Independent Journal, Oct. 25)
- Marin pilot program aims to entice landlords to accept Section 8 (Marin Independent Journal, July 4)