TO: RULES AND OPEN FROM: Councilmember Peter Ortiz
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: REVIEW DRAFT AGENDA DATE: April 12, 2023
Approved: Date: April 10, 2023
RECOMMENDATION
1. Defer the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) indefinitely.
BACKGROUND
The city recently underwent a multi-year process to combat displacement in San José. Through various studies and robust analysis, staff was able to identify several neighborhoods throughout San José that are at risk of mass displacement for a variety of reasons, including increased housing costs and inability to access or secure forms of affordable housing.
Through the city’s Anti-Displacement Plan process, a comprehensive set of strategies were laid out, rooted in the “3 P’s:” production, protection, and preservation. San José has made strides in both affordable housing production and protections for renters, but still lacks the preservation ecosystem in order to have policies and programs aimed at acquiring and rehabilitating existing sources of naturally affordable housing.
For nearly 2 years, the city has been actively working on the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) in San José, to allow qualified non-profit organizations a right of first refusal when a multifamily property goes up for sale. Through a technical and community advisory committee process, a plethora of feedback and comments have been provided to the city on this policy. Two major themes continued to be heard; one is that preservation efforts need to be furthered in San José, and the other is that there may need to be more work done by the city and partners to find the most appropriate set of solutions to achieve that goal. For that reason, we are recommending that the city indefinitely defer COPA ahead of the April 25th City Council meeting and allow for staff to identify broader preservation strategies.
RULES COMMITTEE: 04/12/23
ITEM: A.2