April 15, 2024
San Rafael City Council
Mayor Kate Colin
Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati
Councilmember Eli Hill
Councilmember Maribeth Bushey
Councilmember Rachel Kertz
RE: Tenant Protections in the Opportunity Zone
Dear Esteemed Elected Officials,
United Way Bay Area is proud to join our organizational partners in standing with San Rafael’s renters in their pleas for immediate action to prevent displacement in the Opportunity Zone. We urge Council to pass a temporary ordinance to protect tenants as soon as possible – this cannot wait. This Council has taken action in the past to provide much-needed protection for tenants in this area and we are confident that the current displacement crisis can be mitigated by your urgent action.
We support Temporary Relocation Assistance for tenants who are evicted due to “substantial rehabilitation for health and safety” and encourage Council to adopt the urgency ordinance and resolution. United Way Bay Area stands with community-based organizations in the Canal District, San Rafael, and across Marin in calls to support our lower-income neighbors to remain housed, stable, and secure.
While this temporary ordinance is a necessary first step, there is work to be done to ensure long-term stability for tenants in the Opportunity Zone. We look forward to working with Council to reach our common goal of keeping our neighbors housed, building financial security, and supporting the San Rafael community.
Thank you for your commitment to addressing circumstances that hurt our neighbors who are most vulnerable to threats of displacement and destabilization.
Sincerely,
Monica Strauch
Manager, Public Policy
United Way Bay Area