Efforts to impose or strenghten rent control through the initiative process have begun in Richmond, Alameda and Oakland. Meanwhile, Mountain View will soon consider binding arbitration, and the housing staff in San Jose has suggested tightening the city’s existing rent cap.
Read the stories below to find out what’s happening in each area.
San Jose
City would face stricter rent cap under city staff proposal
Rental property owners in San Jose would face a more stringent cap on annual rent increases underdraft recommendations released by the city’s housing department. Housing officials Tuesday recommended moving from the current 8 percent limit on annual rent increases to a model based on the rate of inflation.
Richmond and Alameda
TENANT GROUPS START INITIATIVE PROCESS FOR RENT CONTROL
Tenant advocates in Richmond and Alameda have filed preliminary paperwork to place rent control initiatives on the November ballot. In both East Bay cities, the initiative efforts are in the early stages, and in neither case has signature-gathering begun. The California Apartment Association, which remains opposed to rent control, is studying the filings and working to determine the best response in each city.
Mountain View
City TO CONSIDER BINDING ARBITRATION MARCH 15
A second Bay Area city is on the verge of approving binding arbitration – basically rent control in disguise. The Mountain View City Council will take up the proposal at its Tuesday, March 15, meeting. The session starts at 6 p.m. in council chambers, 500 Castro St.