Tenant Protections

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August 15, 2017: The El Cerrito Affordable Housing Strategy (Strategy) was adopted by City Council (Resolution 2017-61). The Strategy was developed based upon an evaluation of the City’s existing affordable housing programs and resources and it aimed to proactively identify programs and policies that could be advanced in the near- and medium-term to meet the City’s housing goals, as articulated in the City’s 2015-2023 Housing Element and San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan. The goals of the Strategy set the framework over the next five years to ensure that the City advances policies and programs to produce, protect and preserve housing at all income levels.

The Strategy identified the following four policy pillars to guide the City’s affordable housing efforts:

  • Leverage Private Development to Address Affordable Housing Needs
  • Reduce the Risk of Displacement and Help Stabilize At-Risk Populations
  • Encourage Development of Missing Middle Housing Types
  • Increase Local Funding to Continue Support of Low Income and Special Needs Housing Development
August 21, 2018: City Council held a Study Session to discuss the Strategy, Pillar B: Reduce the Risk of Displacement and Help Stabilize At-Risk Populations. There were near-term tools identified (could be adopted 90-120 days) and medium-term programs (1-2 years) identified for City Council's consideration. Council directed staff to proceed with the near-term tools for implementation that include: 1) Rent Review Program; 2) Minimum Lease Term; 3) Termination of Tenancy; and 4) Tenant Relocation Assistance triggered by demolition, remodel, renovation or re purposing of a property.

November 8, 2018: Staff hosted a workshop for the public to provide feedback on the four draft ordinances for City Council consideration at the December 18, 2018. Click here to view the flyer.

December 18, 2018: The first reading of four ordinances was introduced to City Council.

  1. Rent Review Program;
  2. Minimum Lease Term;
  3. Termination of Tenancy; and
  4. Tenant Relocation Assistance triggered by demolition, remodel, renovation or re-purposing of a property.
Council adopted three of the four proposed ordinances: 1) Minimum Lease Term; 2) Termination of Tenancy; and 3) Tenant Relocation Assistance. And, the Tenant Relocation Assistance was amended to include 20% rent increase over a two-year period and to include an additional payment of one month’s rent for special circumstances households, as defined in the ordinance. Additionally, the City Council directed staff to return with a Just Cause Eviction ordinance and an ordinance to create a method for collecting data regarding rents for residential units (a “Rent Registry”). Click here to view the packet.

January 15, 2019: The second reading of three ordinances returned to City Council. Given that the four ordinances introduced on December 18 were part of an integrated package and in consideration with Council’s direction to return with Just Case Eviction and Rent Registry, action was deferred. In the interest of maintaining an integrated package of Tenant Protection Ordinances and conservation of staff resources for implementation and administration, including providing consistent and clear support to tenants and landlords, staff believes that it would be appropriate for the City Council to defer action on the Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance until after the Council has had an opportunity to evaluate it along with a Just Cause Eviction ordinance and Rent registry ordinance. Click here to view the packet.

February 2019: Citywide postcard mailed to all the residents and business license holders announcing the February 19th study session. Click here to view the postcard.

February 19, 2019
On February 19th City Council held a Study Session to discuss three tenant protection policies:
  1. Tenant Relocation Assistance;
  2. Just Cause for Evictions; and
  3. Rent Registry.
There were over 150 attendees and many hours of public testimony. As a result, Council will continue the Study Session during a Special Meeting March 5th at 5:30pm. Tenants, landlords and any members of the public are welcome to attend the Special Meeting. To access the City Council Agenda and packet, click here.

March 5, 2019
On February 19th, City Council held a Study Session to discuss several tenant protection policies. The Council continued the Study Session on March 5. At that session, the Council passed a series of motions directing staff to:
  • Return with a proposed Rent Registry ordinance that will allow the City to collect data regarding rents for all residential rental properties;
  • Return with a proposed Just Cause for Eviction ordinance that applies to buildings with five or more units, built prior to January 1, 2015, including looking at definition of property owner;
  • Research whether the existing Minimum Lease ordinance voted on in December needs revision in association with other ordinances, and bring back for consideration; and,
  • Return with possible options for a multi-stakeholder “task force”, to collaborate and identify good El Cerrito-specific options to address the City’s Affordable Housing Strategy policy To reduce the risk of displacement and help stabilize at-risk populations. The options are to include potentially using an independent collaborator, with associated costs. The group should be equally made of landlords and tenants with multitude of building sizes, with a goal of presenting a series of recommendation that would be desirable by both as a working model.

For more information, please contact Aissia Ashoori, Affordable Housing Analyst at aashoori@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us or 510.215.4361.