News and Views
June 21, 2008
Front page New York Times article reports that the number of renters is on the rise, while homeownership rates saw the largest decline in twenty years.
A Fresno landlord was ordered to pay $16,000 for failing to disclose lead-based paint presence in his eight units.
June 11, 2008
The city of San Diego is tasked with balancing the housing needs of low-income families after withdrawing from the federal low-income housing program.
This article looks at legislation in California intended to deal with the foreclosure crisis.
June 6, 2008
Coalition for Economic Survival's Larry Gross sees a reinvigorated tenant rights movement in the light of Prop. 98's defeat.
June 6, 2008
According to this San Diego Union Tribune article, apartment vacancy rates and rental rates have both increased over the past year. This article attributes both increases to the rising number of foreclosures.
California Voters Support Rent Control; Huge Victory for Tenants and a Stinging Defeat for Landlords
June 4, 2008
In this BeyondChron article, Randy Shaw analyzes the defeat of Prop. 98 and the opportunity for a statewide tenants' rights movement.
June 4, 2008
Dean Preston of Tenants Together responds to Matt Smith's article on Prop. 98 in the SF Weekly.
June 3, 2008
California voters overwhelmingly reject Prop. 98, which would have banned rent control.
The Whittier Daily exposes a rising level of homelessness among seniors who cannot afford to pay rents on their apartments.
LA Times reports on Mayor Villaraigosa's proposal to allow landlords to evict tenants who have been convicted of using and possessing illegal weapons and ammunition.
The California Chronicle reports on the passage of Alberto Torrico's bill, AB 2585, in the state Assembly. The bill will aid tenants in foreclosures.
May 29, 2008
The Palo Alto Daily News covers a story of local residents organizing and proposing their own changes to the city rent control ordinance.
May 29, 2008
CNN profiles a single mom of eight in Palmdale who faces eviction from her rental after a foreclosure. A Laguna Hills family who has paid $30K in rent since last August also faces eviction because their landlord failed to make mortgage payments.
May 28, 2008
The Palo Alto Daily features an op-ed piece by Tenants Together director Dean Preston
May 27, 2008
Mike Coit of the Santa Rosa Democrat covers the story of a Santa Rosa family who lost their home in a foreclosure and are now competing in a tightening rental market.
May 23, 2008
A Bakersfield couple faced foreclosures in the last two homes they rented. According to this article, a rental company is under no legal obligation to inform renters whether a house is in default.
Housing Wire reports on a piece of legislation introduced by Raul M. Grijalva (D-Az) that would allow foreclosed homeowners to stay in their homes as renters.
May 22, 2008
Dean Baker critiques foreclosure legislation for not protecting renters.