March 16, 2026
Re: Tenant Protections in San Rafael’s Housing Element Annual Progress Report Dear Mayor Kate and Councilmembers Llorens-Gulati, Kertz, Hill, and Bushey:
I am writing to briefly highlight the importance of San Rafael’s Housing Element Tenant Protections Commitments as a crucial aspect of the city’s Annual Progress Report. In its 6th Cycle Housing Element, San Rafael committed to maintain and monitor the effectiveness of local just cause for eviction regulations and evaluate and implement new tenant protection measures.
These commitments remain ongoing. After presenting to the Housing and Homelessness Council Subcommittee on October 25, 2025, staff was directed to evaluate and consider amendments to San Rafael’s Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance–focusing on relocation assistance and citywide applicability–and partnership with the county on a rental registry.
The need for additional tenant protections remains urgent. San Rafael tenants widely report fears of displacement into a tight housing market as a result of making code enforcement complaints for poor housing conditions. San Rafael’s 2023 housing element found that more than half of San Rafael renters now face rent burden, which increases their risk of eviction, homelessness, and poor health outcomes, as families must choose between rent and essentials like food and healthcare.
1 Furthermore, Unlawful Detainer eviction lawsuits in 2024 and 2025 increased 53.3% from pre-pandemic levels. San Rafael renters experiencing rent burden, displacement, and poor conditions detrimentally affects the entire San Rafael community.
We look forward to continuing to work with the Council, City Staff, and the San Rafael community to follow through on San Rafael’s commitment, and requirement, to affirmatively further fair housing.
Sincerely,
Ethan Strull
Housing Policy Advocate
Legal Aid of Marin
1 San Rafael 6th Cycle Housing Element, Page 3-24;
Airgood-Obrycki, W., Hermann, A., & Wedeen, S. (2022). “The Rent Eats First”: Rental Housing Unaffordability in the United States. Housing Policy Debate, 33(6), 1272–1292