Featured

Rent Control Proposal to Protect Tenants

Published

11 years ago

July 6, 2013

Oakland Post

Charlotte Woodard

James Vann

By Ken A. Epstein A city council committee last week began a discussion of limiting or eliminating the right of landlords to raise rents to cover the costs of their mortgages and other “debt service” expenses. Under the city’s current rent ordinance, an owner can pass through to tenants up to 95 percent of mortgage costs after a new purchase. The Rent Board’s recommendation is that the increases be limited to 7 percent. An alternate recommendation by the Rent Board was to eliminate debt service increases altogether, similar to other rent controlled cities. “Of the 10 major jurisdictions in California with Rent Stabilization Ordinances, four cities authorize debt service rent increases. Oakland is the only city where there are (almost) no limits … on rent increases based on debt service,” according to a report prepared by city staff for the Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee’s meeting. Affected by the rent ordinance are about 60,000 residential units in Oakland. Rent increases tied to mortgage costs were a big issue during the housing boom and could be again when the housing market recovers. Lining up to speak against the proposal at the CED meeting were small landlords and representatives of landlord organizations. Richard Phillips, a contractor and architect who manages a few apartment buildings, said it was difficult to find funding for seismic retrofitting for apartment buildings, which puts residents’ lives at risk when there is an earthquake. “Debt service and capital improvements have to be relaxed in order to pay back these loans so owners will borrow the money and do the seismic retrofits,” he said. Charlotte Woodard, a small landlord and retired teacher said the City Council should postpone a decision until it does more research. “My property is underwater, and I cannot access a commercial loan,” she said, explaining that she cannot afford to make repairs to her rental property. One of those supporting the rent proposal was James Vann, an architect and co-founder of the Oakland Tenants Union. “What debt service really means is have your tenants buy your building for you,” he said. “And if that building sells again in 5 years, then make the tenants pay for it again.” “In Oakland, capital improvements are paid 100 percent – passed through to tenants. Housing service costs are paid 100 percent by tenants. Why should the cost of buying the building be passed through to tenants,” he said. “If you read the (city) report, there were some rent increases well over 100 percent, one that was 233 percent. And tenants can’t even object to that.” Asking for more information on other rent ordinance proposals, councilmembers tabled the discussion until September.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

6 days ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.