The Santa Rosa City Council on Jan. 26 held a public study session to discuss rent control and other measures touted as renter protections.
The council heard from its hired consultant, who laid out several options for addressing the city’s housing issues, including:
- Mediation
- Just-cause eviction
- Rent stabilization
CAA and business coalition partners mobilized approximately 100 stakeholders to attend this meeting, with many speaking out against rent control and just-cause eviction policies. As a result, Mayor Sawyer and Councilmen Ernesto Olivares and Tom Schwedhelm stated that rent control was not the solution.
Other council members were divided but signaled openness in exploring a range of options including San Francisco-style rent control, mediation, and just-cause eviction.
The divided council ultimately agreed that more information was needed before proceeding with a certain policy option. The city’s Rent Stabilization Subcommittee will meet in February and provide further direction. The City Council isn’t expected to discuss the item until mid-March, when a rent stabilization policy option could be agendized as a “report item” at another public meeting.
CAA continues to educate the City Council and community on reasonable alternatives to rent control.
CAA North Coast encourages rental housing providers to moderate their rent adjustments, offer residents at least 60 days advance notice of rent adjustments, and be willing to engage in mediation discussions with residents. CAA has prepared guidelines to help rental property owners work through the rent adjustment process for all parties, which can be found HERE.
For more information please contact Mallori Spilker at mspilker@caanet.org.