24-86291 {{section.number}}a
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Follow-Up Programs Related to Rental Rights Discussion Motion: Provide direction to staff regarding the development of future Housing programs.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for September 17, 2024 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On November 28, 2023, City Council (Council) was presented with several ideas aimed at enhancing tenant protections. Council discussed these preliminary ideas, and multiple members showed significant interest in exploring certain proposals further. This report introduces the selected concepts for in-depth analysis and outlines the subsequent steps for their consideration.
The proposals include:
1. Notice to City and Tenant
2. City Oversight of Permit
3. Financial Assistance Programs
4. Legal Aid and Representation
5. Additional Enforcement Provisions
In addition to the above-mentioned proposals, Council asked staff to prepare a report on the possibility of establishing a permanent Landlord/Tenant Commission. 24-86291 2{{section.number}}a
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RECOMMENDATION
That the Council receive and file this report or provide further direction regarding the six program proposals presented.
ANALYSIS
Based upon Council discussion and direction at its meeting of November 28, 2023, the following proposals emerged as top priorities for further exploration. These proposals are included as attachments and provide a detailed analysis. The summary of proposals include:
1.Notice to City and Tenant: Mandates landlords to notify both the city and tenants when issuing eviction notices to ensure oversight and potentially intervene in unjust or unwarranted evictions. (Attachment 1)
2.City Oversight of Permit: Requires landlords to indicate on permits if evictions are associated with major renovations and appoints an oversight role to ensure compliance and fair practices. (Attachment 2)
3.Financial Assistance Programs: Establishes programs to provide temporary relief or rental assistance to tenants facing eviction. (Attachment 3)
4.Legal Aid and Representation: Increases access to legal support for tenants facing eviction to ensure they have proper representation in legal proceedings. (Attachment 4)
5.Additional Enforcement Provisions: Allows the City Attorney to initiate civil proceedings for damages resulting from tenant displacement. (Attachment 5) In addition to the above proposals, Council asked staff to bring a report on the possibility of establishing a permanent Landlord/Tenant Commission. The proposal on a Landlord/Tenant Commission is included as Attachment 6.
In evaluating the various programs to enhance tenant support and housing stability, staff has assessed the budgetary requirements for these proposals. The following table presents a brief overview of the estimated annual costs associated with each program.
Please note that these are very rough estimates and actual costs may vary depending on Council decisions and further refinements. This overview is to aid in understanding the financial implications of each option, detailed breakdowns are available in each report. 24-86291 3{{section.number}}a
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Program Description Estimated Annual Budget
Notice to
Glendale and
Tenant
Total program costs including
marketing and operations. $175,000
City Oversight of
Permit
Costs include reallocation of
Hourly position, printed
materials, and outreach.
$50,000
Financial
Assistance
(Relocation
Formula)
Financial assistance based on
unit size and relocation formula,
with total estimated assistance
for 150 participants.
$1,554,500 - $2,914,000
Financial
Assistance (Fixed
Amount)
Fixed assistance amounts
based on household size, for
150 participants.
$675,000
Financial
Assistance (First
Month’s Rent
Assistance)
Providing assistance for first
month’s rent for 150
participants, varying by rent
level.
$350,000
Financial
Assistance
(Unpaid Rent
Assistance)
Provide assistance to tenants
with unpaid rent, for 150
participants.
$697,500
Financial
Assistance
(Owner Incentive)
Additional budget for landlord
incentives based on incentive
level, for 150 participants.
$150,000 - $450,000
Basic Legal
Advice
Legal aid agencies would
review tenant cases and
provide legal advice and
recommendations
$336,000
Limited Legal
Representation
Legal aid agencies would assist
tenants by drafting official
correspondence, such as
letters to landlords or
responses to legal notices.
$386,000
Full Legal
Representation
Full legal representation in
court proceedings related to
eviction cases, advocating for
tenants' rights and interests.
$670,000
Direct Funding
for Legal
Representation
Provide direct financial
assistance to tenants to cover
attorney fees.
$916,000
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Program Description Estimated Annual Budget
Landlord/Tenant
Commission
Budget for additional staff and
operating costs associated with
a permanent landlord-tenant
commission.
$160,000
Implementing multiple options simultaneously could result in cost efficiencies. For example, by aligning staff efforts across projects, costs associated with hiring additional personnel can be reduced. A shared team could handle overlapping administrative tasks.
Next Steps
If Council chooses to move forward with any of the above proposals, staff can begin implementation of some of them and, if necessary, bring back further detailed reports based on Council direction. These reports will provide comprehensive insights on implementation, marketing and outreach, final budget estimates and effective start dates among other things.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
No stakeholder outreach has been conducted for the purposes of this report. If directed, staff could conduct said outreach for those proposals identified by Council. Such outreach could entail a survey and/or meeting with the interested landlord and tenant organizations that had previously commented on the Rental Rights Program Ordinance amendment.
FISCAL IMPACT
If Council chooses to move forward with any of these proposals, staff will return to Council to request funds to be appropriated from the General Fund Undesignated Fund Balance.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
N/A
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: City Council may adopt a motion to receive and file a report and take no further action with regards to the proposals provided by staff. 24-86291 5{{section.number}}a
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Alternative 2: City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Bradley Calvert, Director of Community Development
Prepared by:
Peter Zovak, Assistant Director of Community Development Sipan Zadoryan, Housing Supervisor
Lucy Varpetian, Principal Assistant City Attorney
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
1. Notice to City and Tenant Proposal
2. City Oversight of Permit Proposal
3. Financial Assistance Programs Proposal
4. Legal Aid and Representation Proposal
5. Additional Enforcement Provisions Proposal
6. Landlord/Tenant Commission Proposal