An emergency just-cause-for-eviction ordinance is off the table in San Mateo — at least for now.
On Tuesday, the San Mateo City Council decided not to take up a just-cause-eviction emergency ordinance on Sept. 21. Such a policy hinders a landlord’s ability to rid communities of dangerous tenants, such as suspected drug dealers.
As the holiday weekend began, the California Apartment Association’s Tri-County Division quickly mobilized members to fight the proposal.
Mayor Maureen Freschet, Deputy Mayor Jack Matthews and Councilman Joe Goethals noted that considering a just-cause-eviction ordinance now would be premature. Moreover, they indicated it would circumvent the process established by the City Council to have a collaborative and objective discussion of possible solutions to the city’s housing concerns.
Talk of the emergency ordinance surfaced just two business days before this week’s meeting.
As the holiday weekend began, the California Apartment Association’s Tri-County Division quickly mobilized members to fight the proposal, which came from Councilman David Lim and received backing from Councilman Rick Bonilla during Tuesday’s meeting.
CAA Tri-County urged the council not to act on just-cause without first obtaining facts and holding public stakeholder discussions.
Most importantly, CAA Tri-County emphasized that a just-cause eviction measure does address affordable housing issues.
“While we understand the urgent desire to look into solutions and we are in agreement that we should, [Lim’s] proposal is not the right way,” Rhovy Antonio, CAA Tri-County’s government affairs director, told the council. “We should be educating renters on their existing protections and … not alienate those who you want to be part of the solutions.” For more comments from the council meeting, see this article from The Daily Journal.
Although Lim’s just-cause eviction proposal won’t be voted on later this month, the threat of rent control and related regulations still looms.
The council will hold a special hearing at 7 p.m. Sept.21 at San Mateo City Hall to discuss possible solutions to the region’s housing crisis, and this could include rent control, eviction-delay measures and other policies harmful to rental property owners.
CAA Tri-County encourages members to attend the meeting and engage in the discussion. Stay tuned for more information on how you can help.
Related content:
- Council turns down proposed San Mateo eviction ordinance (San Francisco Examinder, Sept. 10 )
- San Mateo council to wait for stakeholder input on affordable housing crisis (The Daily Journal, Sept. 10)