Rent control

One block north of fabled Hollywood Boulevard, and a stone’s throw from the iconic Capitol Records Building, sit three rent-stabilized, two-story apartment buildings, known to residents as the Yucca-Argyle complex. One building is peach-colored, one green and the third yellow. Each is organized around a small courtyard and in back is a parking lot for tenants’ cars. Together they are home to roughly 50 families, the residents ranging in age from young children to old-timers who have lived in the complex for more than half a century.

A new push to implement rent control in Richmond seeks to qualify the policy for the November ballot.

An attempt last year to pass a rent control ordinance failed after being opposed by landlords and three members of a divided City Council.

Rent Control Ordinance Could Appear on November 2016 Ballot

February 23rd, 2016 led by Richmond City Council Member Gayle McLaughlin, Fair and Affordable Richmond, a coalition of renters, labor and homeowners (of which Tenants Together is a key member), requested from the City Clerk, title and summary for a potential November 2016 ballot measure. The ballot measure, if approved, would protect Richmond renters from being evicted without just cause and establish rent control.

Diane Fjelstad knew for months that her rent was going up. Her landlord had told her the increase was coming.

But when she finally read the official notice last year, she remembers feeling numb. She would have to pay $1,000 more per month for her two-bedroom apartment, a 54 percent hike.

“It was quite shocking,” says Fjelstad, a retired psychiatric social worker. “I just immediately went into crisis management to figure out what I could do personally.”

Residents living at a San Francisco building that was damaged by a fire are being forced out permanently.

The apartment building at Mission and 22nd streets was severely damaged in January last year.

The people who were forced out stand to lose not only their homes, but their right to rent-control as well.

Marcela Cordova still has nightmares about being trapped in her apartment by a wall of smoke and flames. "I remember trying to save my life and my daughters life, I didn't think we were going to make it," she said.

The Department of Building Inspection on Friday ordered the demolition of the fire-damaged building at the corner of 22nd and Mission streets, citing a concern that a moderate earthquake would collapse the building outward and cause harm to the public.

If the building is demolished, more than 60 tenants displaced by the fire may lose the right to return to their units after reconstruction.

Early Wednesday morning, the Alameda City Council unanimously extended the City’s moratorium against evictions and rent increases. The moratorium was set to expire January 9, 2016. It has been extended 60 days. Under the law, landlords must have “just cause” to evict and cannot impose rent increases above 8%.

Cities can impose restrictions on the grounds for eviction.

After a San Francisco landlord imposed new fees and restrictions on tenants in Lafayette, the City Council decided to discuss rent control and just cause eviction protections.