March 3, 2025
San Rafael City Council
Mayor Kate Colin
Vice Mayor Eli Hill
Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati
Councilmember Maribeth Bushey
Councilmember Rachel Kertz
RE: Sea Level Rise- Tenant Protections
Dear Esteemed Elected Officials,
We are writing to urge you to continue supporting efforts to commit to adopting policies to prevent displacement due to Sea Level rise in San Rafael. Public Advocates is a nonprofit law firm and advocacy organization that challenges the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing, transportation equity, and climate justice. We have worked closely with San Rafael advocates and residents on important fair housing efforts to ensure the stability of currently underserved populations and future generations.
A review of the current research on sea level rise in the Bay Area presents a concerning reality that hundreds of residents throughout San Rafael may be impacted and ultimately displaced due to climate change in the near future. Swift action must be taken to ensure the safety and stability of residents impacted by climate change. Rising sea levels mean that residents of multi-family buildings and single-family homes are at risk of displacement. This is particularly true for residents in the Canal, the vast majority of whom are members of classes protected by fair housing laws and the city’s duty to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing.
To prevent climate-related displacement, it is imperative that the city establish emergency ordinances that will go into effect if tragedy occurs, and also implement tenant protections that will prevent permanent displacement. Local laws are necessary to ensure that renters receive sufficient relocation benefits and right to return both during emergent disasters and when landlords are required to make changes to rental properties to mitigate risks of sea level rise.
Another way the city can help tenants is by funding programs and amending ordinances that can help both landlords and business owners make changes to buildings proactively, conditioned on long term stability for current tenants and ongoing affordability. As it currently stands, there are a significant number of positive commitments written into the city’s Housing Element.
By prioritizing those commitments and thinking strategically about the changes that occur due to a changing climate, we can ensure that some of the most vulnerable tenants can continue to live in San Rafael in safe and stable housing.
Sincerely,
Tahirah Dean
Staff Attorney, Public Advocates