From: Jennifer Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 4:38 PM
To: City Clerk Group <[email protected]>
Subject: Item A1
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
I write in support of the inclusion of the Tenant Protection Ordinance in the Planning Department’s work plan for FY 23-24, and would urge the city to consider that work in the first part of the FY if feasible. The City of SB has already done a lot of work in this area with months of negotiations between stakeholder groups before its ordinance passed – its ordinance includes a mandatory lease offer rule, a just cause ordinance, and relocation assistance for no-cause evictions.
The City of Goleta may also want to consider a parallel urgency ordinance to address regional and statewide concerns about bad faith attempts to skirt state law regarding evictions for substantial renovations (or to even consider that action now). It might be helpful for all involved if the south coast region had a uniform approach. The City would not need to start from scratch – it could simply borrow from what City of SB has already done and what the County will hopefully take on soon. The eviction situation in Isla Vista will have major impact on Goleta and its available rental housing. Many of those who have received notices are long-time residents, including the formerly homeless, Section 8 voucher holders, seniors, families, low-income students, and more. I hope the City will weigh in as the County grapples with the situation.
Overall, what we have seen is ongoing attempts by landlords to skirt the protections afforded under the state’s Tenant Protection Act, especially as rents are skyrocketing and available rental supply remains low.
See “Caught in the Rental Crunch” (Ryan Cruz, SB Independent, Dec 2022) https://www.independent.com/2022/12/14/caught-in-the-rental-crunch/
Local ordinances can ensure that the spirit of the state law is adequately enforced and followed.
Thank you for addressing this important issue.
Jennifer R. Smith
(Pronouns: She/her/hers)
Executive Director
Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County
(805) 963.6754 x103
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lafsbc.org
Goleta Resident
7391 Chapman Place #B
Goleta CA 93117