In May, the City of Concord’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Rental Housing published a draft report that was discussed at a public community meeting held May 29th. All Concord citizens and the business community wer invited to attend to issue opinions, questions and concerns. 

The proposal from the Ad-Hoc Committee included some of the following:

• Modification to the Residential Rent Review Program – Mandating participation by landlords for any rent increase greater than 5% in front of an Administrative Law Judge.
• Relocation Assistance for Tenants – Requiring landlords to pay up to three months’ worth of rent, determined by the monthly average rent based on the unit size (established annually by the City), if a lease is not renewed.
• Just Cause Eviction –Would require property owners to give reason as to why a lease was not renewed and limits property owner’s ability provide safe housing/community for all residents. This would encompass all properties in Concord, including single-family homes.

Nothing was off the table, including Rent Control and a Rent Moratorium.

However, on June 19^th at a Special City Council Meeting, the City Council received and listened to five hours of public comment regarding the recommendations from the Concord Ad-Hoc Committee on Rental Housing.  Unlike the public meeting that occurred in May, this meeting consisted of the full council to discuss and provide staff direction on items brought forward by the Ad-Hoc Committee.

The following items will be either studied and/or brought back for review at a future council meeting, yet to be set. 

Some of the council members made it clear, that while some of these items may come back, they may not garner majority vote of the council for final approval.

4.1 – Modify Residential Rent Review Program: Majority of the council stated they would like staff to study adding an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) and binding mediation with a threshold of 7% +CPI. While two council members would prefer to see if lower than 7% + CPI, it was made clear last night that no matter what the Council approves in the end, it is not set in stone and can always be changed with a Majority vote of the council at a future date. There was also discussion by the council that this program would be based on Landlord notification and not Tenant complaints.

4.2 – Extend Property Owner Notice Requirements: California Apartment Association notified the Council via public letter, that this recommendation is illegal and has caselaw they can share.  However, the council did request that staff check if there would be a problem for the City to require extending the period of notice of termination, specifically for seniors and disabled tenants.

4.3 – Relocation Assistance for Tenants: Relocation Assistance for Tenants – At least two and possibly three council members do not currently support 4.3 as written.  Therefore, there was an agreement for staff to gather more information regarding relocation for the council to review.  It was clearly stated that not all are sold on the idea of relocation assistance.

4.4 – Just Cause Eviction: There were not enough votes for this item to move forward.

4.5 – Minimum Term Lease, 4.6 – Land Trust/Preserve Long Term Affordability, 4.7 – Support Housing Legislation at State Level, and 4.8 – City Communication re: Affordable Housing: There was consensus by council to approve the above items.

As mentioned earlier City staff has not set a date as to when these items will be coming back to Council.

For more information on the Ad-Hoc Committee recommendations, view the full report at: https://www.cityofconcord.org/758/Rental-Housing-Ad-Hoc-Committee.