DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood and Housing Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Ver?nica R. Soto, FAICP, Neighborhood and Housing Services Department Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City wide
SUBJECT: Briefing on the Proposed Creation of a Renters' Commission
SUMMARY:
Discussion of options for establishing a Renters' Commission
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A Council Consideration Request (CCR) was sponsored by Councilmember Trevi?o on June 19, 2019 requesting a discussion of the creation of a Renters' Commission. The proposed Commission would advise the City Council on matters related to rental housing including housing production, accessibility, renter laws/rights, public health and safety, and other matters that impact renters and landlords. The Governance Committee referred the CCR to the Culture & Neighborhood Services Committee (CNSC) on January 15, 2020. Public engagement previously scheduled for March 2020 was delayed due to the pandemic.
Neighborhood & Housing Services Department (NHSD) staff conducted a survey and held focus groups in fall 2020 to gain insight from the community about the perceived scope of work, preferred composition, and desire for a Renters' Commission. Councilmembers were given the opportunity to review the survey prior to its September 14th launch date through SA Speak Up. The survey netted over 3,600 responses from nearly 1,700 current renters, over 350 property owners and operators, and many other community members including homeowners and people experiencing homelessness. Five renters and seven property owners/managers participated in focus groups. Staff presented findings from this outreach to CNSC on November 2, 2020.
Key takeaways from the survey and focus group outreach include:
* ?Most respondents preferred a commission comprised of both renters and property owners/managers. Diverse backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, and rental h...
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