June News

Supervisors Approve Renters Economic Relief Package–Newsom Veto Anticipated

Sup. Eric Mar Introduces Legislation Banning OMI Evictions of Children

Supervisors Approve Renters Economic Relief Package
Newsom Veto Anticipated–Mayor Hides From Tenants

The full Board of Supervisors approved the Renters Economic Relief Package on June 23. The Board adopted some amendments to the package, in hopes of averting a Mayoral veto or in hopes of securing enough votes to override the veto. The amendments limits the rent increase protections to tenants who have lost jobs, had wages cut significantly or who are dependent on government benefits but not receiving any cost of living increase. A Newsom veto would mean he isn't willing to help those individuals very directly affected by the recession. His allies on the Board (Michaela Alioto-Pier, Carmen Chu, Bevan Dufty, & Sean Elsbernd) all voted against the measure, indicating they, too, are not interested in helping those hit hard by the recession and that Newsom will likely veto it. Sup .Sophie Maxwell was again recused from voting as the Fair Political Practices Commission will not issue their decision on whether or not her ownership of 6 rental units precludes her from voting. This decision will be issued by July 8, so she will likely be able to vote on any veto override attempt. Maxwell–a landlord who usually votes pro-tenant–can vote. Maxwell sought to be recused but there is some dispute as to whether or not she has a conflict of interest under state laws. If the legislation is to survive a Newsom veto, then Maxwell must be able to vote (and then vote for it). Maxwell is typically the 7th vote and Sup. Bevan Dufty would also have to support it to reach the 8 votes needed to override a Mayoral veto. Get added to e mail notification list if you want to keep updated on the progress of this legislation.

The package of amendments to the city’s rent control law consists of three parts:
•Suspend any rent increases which will cause a tenant’s rent to exceed 33% of their income if the tenant is unemployed, has had wages cut or is living on a fixed income and has not received a cost of living increase. This provision expands the law’s existing provision which enables the Rent Board to suspend rent increases based on “tenant hardship” by expanding when a tenant can apply for hardship and defining hardship as any rent increase which would cause a tenant’s rent to exceed 33% of their gross income.
•Expand the rights of tenants to add roommates to help pay the rent. This provision will let tenants bring in roommates so that the rent will be more affordable. The number of roommates would be limited by San Francisco Housing Code provisions which establish occupancy limits based on the size and number of bedrooms in an apartment. Currently landlords are able to limit the number of tenants to levels below what the law allows.
•Limit the amount of “banked” rent increases which can be imposed in any one year. Current law allows landlords,  to “bank” annual rent increases and impose them all at once at a later date, often resulting in rent increases of 20% or more. This provision will limit these banked rent increases to no more than 8% in any one year.

Here's How You Can Help Get These Measures Passed:

Contact Key Supervisors. E Mail, Call, fax and write your District Supervisor (click here to get contact information & neighborhoods represented for all Supervisors) and e mail votes need to override a Newsom veto, Sup. Sophie Maxwell. and Supervisor Bevan Dufty and e mail Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Testify At The May 28 Hearing. Nothing works better than personal stories: If you are struggling to pay your rent or afraid that further rent increases will make your apartment unaffordable, please come and let the Supervisors know. Especially if you have recently lost your job or had wages or hours cut, we need to hear from you. You don't need to be fancy--just let Supervisors know how much rent you're already paying (or what percentage it is of your income) and what additional rent increases will mean to you (e.g., cutting back on food, health care or even losing your apartment).

Sign The On-Line Petition In Support of the Legislation St. Peter's Housing Committee has set up an easy-to-sign on line petition in support of the legislation. Take a few seconds and sign it! Click here to sign the petition.

Link to Cap Rents At 33% Ordinance

Link to Right to Additional Roommates Legislation & Companion Housing Access Legislation

Link to Limit Banked Rent Increases Legislation

Legislation Adding Children To OMI Eviction "Protected Classes" Is Introduced by Sup. Eric Mar

Since 1998, San Francisco has protected tenants who are senior, disabled or catastrophically ill from Landlord or Owner Move In Evictions. Since these protections were added, children advocates have urged that families with children be added as one of these protected classes, as evictions are also especially difficult on children, with numerous studies showing that forced moves impairs learning and childhood development. In addition, the number of families with children in San Francisco has been dropping significantly over the years and most San Francisco households with live in rent controlled apartments and are often leaving the city because they have been evicted out of the city.

Text of OMI Children Prohibitions Legislation