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GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCILWOMAN RESH INTU.
I'D LIKE TO CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER TODAY FOR THE HOUSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE ON MAY 19TH, 26.
UH, MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE CALL? ROLL CALL.
COUNCILMAN BERNO, VICE CHAIR RICK SODI HERE.
[REGULAR AGENDA]
WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT ANYONE WHO IS[CALL TO ORDER]
PLANNING TO SPEAK AND PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE COME TO THE FRONT OF THE ROOM, BE SURE YOU'VE COMPLETED A SPEAKER CARD, UM, AND WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM YOU TODAY.AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ASK OUR CLERK IF SHE WOULD READ OUR FIRST REGULAR AGENDA ITEM.
ITEM ONE, RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE HOUSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING OF TUESDAY, APRIL 7TH, 2026.
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ALRIGHT, THANK YOU MADAM CLERK.IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS MATTER? IF THERE'S ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM ONE, PLEASE LINE UP AT THE PODIUM NOW.
[1. 26-55154 Recommendation to approve the minutes for the Housing and Public Health Committee meeting of Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
YOU SO MUCH.THAT BRINGS US TO ITEM NUMBER TWO.
MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE READ THE MATTER ITEM TWO? RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE A PRESENTATION FROM THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST REGARDING THE OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS, INCLUDING THEIR ROLE IN PRESERVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK, AND POTENTIAL COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE CITY.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR TODAY.
[2. 26-55155 Recommendation to receive and file a presentation from the Long Beach Community Land Trust regarding the operational framework of Community Land Trusts, including their role in preserving affordable housing stock, and potential collaborative opportunities within the City. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
A COMMUNITY PRESENTATION AND THERE'S A STAFF PRESENTATION.SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO DO THE COMMUNITY PRESENTATION FIRST.
UH, SINCE IT'S UP WE'LL EN LOADED, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND PROCEED WITH THE COMMUNITY PRESENTATION.
UH, NIR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL TODAY.
UH, MY NAME IS NIR AB AND I SERVE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST.
I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE TO SHARE MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, INCLUDING THE ROLE THEY CAN PLAY IN PRESERVING AND CREATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PREVENTING DISPLACEMENT.
WE ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO EXPLORING ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY.
AND I BELIEVE I HAVE THIS HERE.
CLTS REFLECT A LEGACY ROOTED IN RESISTANCE AND ECONOMIC SELF-DETERMINATION IN THE US.
CLTS FIRST EMERGED IN GEORGIA DURING THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
THEY WERE A COMMUNITY LED TOOL FOR EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT AND A RESPONSE TO THE LONG HISTORY OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND EXCLUSION THAT HAS PREVENTED BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES FROM ACCESSING HOME OWNERSHIP AND BUILDING INTERGENERATIONAL WEALTH INEQUITIES THAT PERSIST TODAY.
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY LAND TRUST OR ACL T? IT IS A COMMUNITY LED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HOLDS LAND AND TRUST FOR THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.
CLTS ACQUIRE AND STEWARD LAND TO ENSURE IT CONTINUES SERVING LOCAL COMMUNITY NEEDS OVER TIME.
WHETHER THROUGH PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, COMMUNITY GARDENS, GATHERING SPACES, OR SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, THERE ARE NOW CLOSE TO 250 CLTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
MANY OF THESE, LIKE THE LONG BEACH CLT, REPRESENT POWERFUL COMMUNITY MOVEMENTS, WORKING TO COUNTER THE IMPACTS OF DISINVESTMENT AND STRUCTURAL INEQUALITY AND TO BUILD A MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE FUTURE.
THE LONG BEACH CCLT IS THE FIRST CLT IN OUR CITY.
IT REPRESENTS A GROWING MOVEMENT OF NEIGHBORS, ORGANIZERS, AND ADVOCATES WORKING TOGETHER TO KEEP LONG BEACH HOME FOR EVERYBODY.
WE ENVISION LONG BEACH AS A THRIVING DIVERSE CITY WITH ABUNDANT COMMUNITY, GOVERNED, PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LAND, AND COMMUNITY SPACES FOR ALL.
ESPECIALLY FOR OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST IMPACTED BY HISTORICAL DISPLACEMENT AND RACISM.
WE ARE A MEMBER LED ORGANIZATION WORKING TO CREATE A DIGNIFIED AND HEALTHY LIFE FOR DI DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IN LONG BEACH BY ADVOCATING THROUGH LOCAL PUBLIC POLICY AND COALITION BUILDING TO SECURE RESOURCES FOR DEVELOP, DEVELOPING COMMUNITY ASSETS, DEVELOPING PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND STEWARDING LAND AND SHARED SPACES THROUGH COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP MODELS AND BUILDING COMMUNITY POWER THROUGH GATHERINGS, WORKSHOPS, POLITICAL EDUCATION AND MEMBER PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING.
CLTS PLAY SEVERAL IMPORTANT ROLES IN OUR HOUSING ECOSYSTEM.
FIRST, CLTS ARE AN ANTI DISPLACEMENT STRATEGY, REALLY ROOTED IN NEIGHBORHOOD CARE.
RISING HOUSING COSTS PUSH OUR NEIGHBORS OUT FROM THE COMMUNITIES THEY'VE LONG CALLED HOME CLTS, SECURE HOMES AND SUPPORT RESIDENTS FACING MARKET PRESSURES AND GENTRIFICATION.
THIS WORK CENTERS THE STABILIZATION AND WELLBEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND HELPS BUILD LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS AND TRUST WITHIN NEIGHBORHOODS.
CLTS ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT PRESERVATION ROLE.
WE LOSE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING EVERY YEAR THAN WE ARE ABLE TO BUILD, ESPECIALLY NATURALLY OCCURRING AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT EXISTS, EXISTS WITHOUT PUBLIC SUBSIDY.
CLTS PRESERVE THIS HOUSING BY ACQUIRING IT AND SECURING IT PERMANENTLY IN COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP AND PROTECTING IT AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK TO BUILD NEW HOUSING ACROSS THE CITY.
ADDITIONALLY, CLTS CREATE INNOVATIVE PATHWAYS TO OWNERSHIP IN THE CONTEXT WHERE NEW AFFORDABLE OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE INCREASINGLY SCARCE.
CLTS CONVERT MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS INTO OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT CENTER RESIDENT GOVERNANCE AND UNLOCK PATHWAYS TO OWNERSHIP AT MUCH DEEPER AFFORDABILITY LEVELS WHILE STRENGTHENING CONNECTION.
AND FINALLY, CLTS ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
THIS CAN INCLUDE NEW MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENTS, LIMITED EQUITY HOUSING, COOPERATIVES, TOWN HOMES, AND CONDOS THAT REMAIN AFFORDABLE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
CLTS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR HOUSING ECOSYSTEM, BUT WHAT REALLY MAKES THEM SPECIAL IS HOW THIS WORK IS DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITIES.
OUR MEMBERS ELECT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MADE UP OF CLT RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES.
AND THIS FRAMEWORK REALLY ENSURES DECISION MAKING REFLECTS COMMUNITY NEEDS, AND GIVES RESIDENTS A
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DIRECT ROLE IN SHAPING THE LONG-TERM CARE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE DIRECTLY IN GOVERNANCE AND DECISION MAKING OVER THEIR HOMES, REALLY BUILDING THAT LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP WHILE CREATING SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AND COLLECTIVE STEWARDSHIP.
CLTS ALSO MAINTAIN PERMANENT AFFORDABILITY BY KEEPING LAND AND COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP AND PROTECTING IT FROM THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE MARKET.
THIS INNOVATIVE OWNERSHIP MODEL BUILDS INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY WEALTH THROUGH STABLE HOUSING COSTS OVER TIME AND BEYOND HOUSING ITSELF.
CLTS PROVIDE LONG-TERM STABILITY, SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND STEWARDSHIP THAT HELPS RESIDENTS SUCCEED.
AND THESE BENEFITS GO BEYOND HOUSING TO STABLE HOUSING.
STABLE HOUSING IMPROVES PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, REDUCES THE STRESS OF DISPLACEMENT IN HOUSING INSECURITY AND STRENGTHENS NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTION AND SAFETY OVER TIME.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE CITY OF LONG BEACH FOR SUPPORTING THIS WORK WITH THE INITIAL SEED FUNDING AND TO LIBRE OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER FOR HELPING LAY THE ORGANIZATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST WITH THIS FOUNDATION, THE LONG BEACH CLT IS BUILDING A STRONG ECOSYSTEM FOR COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP HERE IN LONG BEACH.
IN MANY PLACES IT CAN TAKE FOUR TO FIVE YEARS FOR A CLT TO ACQUIRE ITS FIRST PROPERTY WHILE BUILDING ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND SECURING RESOURCES.
HERE IN LONG BEACH, WE'VE BEEN INTENTIONAL ABOUT SPEEDING UP THAT TRADITIONAL TIMELINE TO DELIVER HOUSING IMPACTS MUCH EARLIER.
IN A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS, WE'VE SECURED PERMANENT FUNDING SOURCES, EXPANDED OUR REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY, AND ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH OUR FIRST COMMUNITY ACQUISITION.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON THE ESSENTIAL WORK OF CO-CREATING A STRONG MEMBERSHIP BASE, AND TODAY HAVE OVER 130 AMAZING MEMBERS ENGAGED IN COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP WORK.
AND WE'RE ALSO DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS BY ACTIVELY ENGAGING IN MULTIPLE COLLABORATIONS, HELPING TO EDUCATE NEW PARTNERS AND BRING THEM INTO THE LONG BEACH ECOSYSTEM.
AND IN DOING SO, EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP LOCALLY AND TODAY WE ARE CURRENTLY PURSUING BOTH PRESERVATION AND NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND ARE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT, YOU KNOW, THE THE FUTURE HOLDS OVER THIS COURSE OF THIS, THIS YEAR WE'RE EXCITED TO SHARE THAT THIS PAST FEBRUARY, THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY INVESTMENT COMPANY AWARDED THE LONG BEACH CLT, THE STEWARDSHIP OF AN 11 UNIT MULTIFAMILY BUILDING.
AND WE APPRECIATE THE CITY'S PARTNERSHIP THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.
THIS BUILDING WILL BECOME A PART OF A PERMANENT COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP ECOSYSTEM.
RESIDENTS WILL GAIN DEEP COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND SHARED GOVERNANCE OPPORTUNITIES, AND THE CLT WILL ENSURE ONGOING CARE, STEWARDSHIP AND ASSET MANAGEMENT.
THIS WILL STRENGTHEN THE CITY'S BROADER PRESERVATION STRATEGY AND MAINTAIN HOUSING AS A PERMANENT COMMUNITY ASSET.
LOOKING AHEAD, WE ALSO WANNA HIGHLIGHT AN IMPORTANT REGIONAL OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS AGENCY OR LA CASA.
LA CASA IS LAUNCHING A CLT PROGRAM LATER THIS SUMMER AND WE PROUDLY ADVOCATED FOR THE CREATION OF THIS PROGRAM, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE $15 MILLION ANNUALLY TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY LAND TRUST PRESERVATION, AND ACQUISITION WORK ACROSS THE COUNTY.
THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP SECURE EXISTING HOUSING, PREVENT DISPLACEMENT AND SCALE THAT COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP OF AFFORDABLE HOMES.
AND WE ARE WELL POSITIONED HERE IN LONG BEACH TO PARTICIPATE IN AND ACCESS THIS FUNDING ON AN ONGOING BASIS.
THIS IS A STRONG EXAMPLE OF HOW MODEST LOCAL INVESTMENTS CAN LEVERAGE SIGNIFICANT COUNTY RESOURCES.
FOR EXAMPLE, A LOCAL INVESTMENT OF ABOUT $500,000 COULD HELP LEVERAGE ROUGHLY $7 MILLION IN COUNTY FUNDING TO CREATE AROUND 30 UNITS OF PRIMARILY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EFFECTIVELY MULTIPLYING LOCAL IMPACT THROUGH THAT REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE CITY'S ONGOING SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION, WHICH HAS HELPED ACCELERATE OUR TIMELINES AND STRENGTHEN OUR ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND SERVICE OF CITYWIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING GOALS.
CONTINUED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND ACQUISITION SUPPORT CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LONG BEACH CLT TO FURTHER GROW OUR COMMUNITY ROOTED REAL ESTATE CAPACITY AND TO PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMS LIKE THE LACOSTA CLT PROGRAM AND THE ANTICIPATED STATEWIDE COMMUNITY ANTI-DISPLACEMENT AND PRESERVATION PROGRAM.
AND TO LEVERAGE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE EXTERNAL FUNDING AND MOVE QUICKLY TO SECURE AT-RISK HOUSING TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES ROOTED IN PLACE.
OUR GROWING CAPACITY SUPPORTS OUR COLLECTIVE GOALS AROUND ANTI DISPLACEMENT, HOME OWNERSHIP AND EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT.
TOGETHER THIS WORK HELPS TO CREATE MORE STABLE AND THRIVING NEIGHBORHOODS, STRONGER RESIDENT CONNECTIONS, AND DEEPER LONG-TERM HOUSING SECURITY FOR COMMUNITIES ACROSS LONG BEACH.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE TODAY ABOUT, UH, COMMUNITY LAND TRUST AND THE LONG BEACH CLT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR WORK TOGETHER.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO THE NEXT PRESENTATION? OKAY.
AT THIS TIME I WILL ASK THE, UM, CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, UH, CHRIS KONZ.
YEAH, I'M MARY DOW AND MEGAN SOREEN ARE GONNA COME UP.
AND MARY, WE'RE GONNA DO AN ABBREVIATED VERSION OF THIS PRESENTATION, JUST I KNOW THERE'S OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
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UM, SO YOU ALREADY HEARD ABOUT, YOU KNOW, KIND OF WHAT IS, UH, COMMUNITY LAND TRUST AND HOW DOES IT WORK AND SOME OF THOSE BENEFITS.UM, WHAT WE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IS SORT OF, UM, THE LANDSCAPE THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA AND HERE IN LONG BEACH SPECIFICALLY.
I I DO BELIEVE WE HAD A LOT OF OVERLAPPING CONTENT.
IT WAS REALLY WONDERFUL TO HEAR FROM THEM FIRSTHAND.
UM, SO COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS OPERATE IN SEVERAL CALIFORNIA CITIES, INCLUDING OAKLAND, SAN FRANCISCO, IRVINE, AND SANTA ANA.
THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST NETWORK REPRESENTS OVER 50 COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS, WHICH COMBINED STEWARD, UM, 1,600 PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR OVER 3,500 CALIFORNIANS.
ALTHOUGH THERE'S A GREAT DIVERSITY AMONGST CALIFORNIA CLTS IN BOTH THEIR SIZE AND HOW THEY IMPLEMENT THEIR MISSIONS, THEY ALL STILL SHARE THE KEY CHARACTERISTICS THAT NAZAR HAS REVIEWED IN THEIR PRESENTATION.
EACH CLT MODEL REFLECTS A LOCAL OR LOCAL HOUSING CONDITIONS AND POLICY PRIORITIES.
AND MANY SUCCESSFUL CLTS RELY ON PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS, PHILANTHROPY AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT ACQUISITION OPERATIONS AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY.
IN 2021, THE CITY COUNCIL ALLOCATED LBRA FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMUNITY LAND TRUST.
AS WE'VE SEEN HERE, UH, THROUGH A COMPETITIVE PROCESS, LONG BEACH RESIDENTS EMPOWERED, ALSO KNOWN AS LIBRE, WAS SELECTED TO RECEIVE THE FUNDING TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE THE CLT.
INITIAL FUNDING SUPPORTED ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDING GOVERNANCE FORMATION, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, BUSINESS PLANNING, AND LONG-TERM OPERATIONAL PLANNING.
AND THE CLT HAS SECURED OVER $350,000 IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM PARTNERS.
DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS PLAN AND A FEAS FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS ESTABLISHED A REAL ESTATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECRUITED OVER 120 FORMAL MEMBERS, HOSTED OVER 50 COMMITTEE OUTREACH EVENTS AND MORE OVER THE TWO YEAR CONTRACT PERIOD THAT WE'VE HAD WITH THEM.
AND LIKE THEY MENTIONED, OUR NEXT PROJECT IN THE PIPELINE IS, UH, THE CONVEYANCE OF THE MAIN AVENUE SENIOR APARTMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST.
LOOKING AHEAD, THERE MAY BE SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTINUED COLLABORATION AND EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY LAND TRUST STRATEGIES WITHIN LONG BEACH.
POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE PRESERVATION OF NATURALLY OCCURRING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UTILIZATION OF SURPLUS OR UNDERUTILIZED LAND, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH NONPROFIT DEVELOPERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
CLTS MAY ALSO SUPPORT BROADER CITY GOALS RELATED TO ANTI DISPLACEMENT EFFORTS, EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT, AND LONG-TERM HOUSING PRESERVATION.
ADDITIONALLY, THE CL LT STRUCTURE MAY HELP LEVERAGE EXTERNAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THAT SUPPORT COMMUNITY-BASED HOUSING INITIATIVES.
AND THAT'S ALL WE HAVE FOR OUR PRESENTATION.
I APPRECIATE, UM, BOTH PRESENTATIONS FOR TODAY.
UH, PART OF WHAT WE ARE HOPING TO BE ABLE TO SHARE HERE IN THIS COMMITTEE AND THIS CONVERSATION AND LIFTING UP COMMUNITY LAND TRUST IS THE FACT THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT STRATEGIES IN ORDER TO, UH, GET PEOPLE INTO HOMES, UM, THAT THEY CAN AFFORD AND FOR THE LONG TERM.
UM, SO WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION THAT CAN PARTNER ALONG WITH OUR CITY.
UM, NAZI AND YOUR LEADERSHIP ALONG WITH LIBRE, UH, AND BEING ABLE TO ANCHOR THE ORGANIZATION OVER ALL THESE YEARS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL.
UH, CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH, UM, THE CITY, UH, ON YOUR FIRST ACQUISITION.
I THINK THAT'S VERY EXCITING AND SPEAKS TO WHAT CAN COME, UH, DOWN THE LINE.
OH, YOU ALL, YES, WE'RE, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT.
UM, I ALSO, UM, HAVE NOTED THAT, UH, YOUR TEAM ALONG WITH OTHER HOUSING ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRING TO LONG BEACH.
I HAVE FIRSTHAND SEEN, UM, SOME OF THE NATIONAL FUNDERS, THE REGIONAL FUNDERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN CLT WORK, UH, BE RIGHT HERE IN CITY HALL AND GAIN AN INSIGHT ONTO WHAT THE PARTNERSHIP IS WITH THE CITY AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY.
SO I THINK THAT'LL CONTINUE TO GO WELL FOR YOU AS YOU CONTINUE TO FUNDRAISE.
UM, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE CONNECTION WITH THE OTHER CLTS ACROSS THE STATE.
UH, SOME ARE VERY MATURE AND HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE THAT WE CAN GLEAN FROM.
AND SO CONTINUING YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, UM, ORGANIZATION I THINK IS GONNA BE VERY HELPFUL.
AND UH, JUST A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, UH, MYSELF
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AND VICE CHAIR RICK OTI HAD A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM LA CASA, THE LA COUNTY HOMELESS SOLUTIONS AGENCY.THEY WERE HERE, PROVIDED A PRESENTATION AND IN THAT PRESENTATION SHARED A BIT ABOUT THE CLT WORK, UM, THAT THEY INTEND TO DO.
SO I'M PLEASED TO NOT ONLY KNOW THAT THEY WILL BE PROVIDING DOLLARS AS WELL AS CAPACITY BUILDING 'CAUSE OUR EXPECTATION IS THAT YOU CONTINUE TO GROW AND PICK UP ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES, UM, AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST.
SO WITH THAT, AND THEN AGAIN, 130 MEMBERS, I THINK THAT'S FANTASTIC.
UM, AND AM JUST, YOU KNOW, EXCITED TO SEE THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUE.
I'LL HAND IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE, VICE CHAIR RICK SODI.
UM, WELL, I THINK THE CHAIR, UH, TH TOOK, UH, SAID EVERYTHING, BUT I WILL
AS YOU ALL KNOW, I'M I CHAIR OF THE, THE BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, RIGHT? AND SO OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE HAVE DONE, WE HAVE CONTRIBUTED FUNDING, RIGHT? AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST.
UM, AND SO I'M EXCITED TO HEAR, UH, WHERE THAT FUNDING IS GOING, RIGHT? TO SEE THE OUTCOMES, TO SEE HOW THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST HERE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH IS MOVING FORWARD, RIGHT? UH, I ECHO MY COLLEAGUE HERE SAID AROUND BEING EXCITED AROUND THE FACT THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE THE CAPACITY BUILDING, YOU HAVE, UH, HAD AN ACCELERATED TIMELINE.
LIKE IT WAS REALLY ENCOURAGING FOR ME TO HEAR NAZI THAT, YOU KNOW, THE TYPICAL TIMELINE IS FOUR TO FIVE YEARS, AND IN TWO YEARS YOU SAID, HEY, WE'RE ALREADY AT THE PLACE OF ACQUIRING A, A FACILITY AND A BUILDING RIGHTS.
I'M REALLY EXCITED TO HEAR OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS HOW YOU EXPAND ON THAT WORK, WHAT IS TO COME, AND THEN, UM, JUST THE, THE ABILITY, LIKE YOU SAID, TO EXPAND THE TYPES OF USES, UM, OF HOUSING, RIGHT, THAT WE CAN USE TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES AND MAKE SURE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE WHOLE GOAL HERE IS TO HIT KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED.
CD TEAM WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF, UH, PARTNERSHIP THAT WE WANNA SEE, UM, ACROSS THE CITY.
WE'LL NOW TAKE IT TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
UH, MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU CONFIRM HOW MANY SPEAKERS WE HAVE FOR ITEM TWO? WE DID NOT DO SIGNUPS, BUT IF THERE ARE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR ITEM TWO, PLEASE STAND UP NOW.
SCENE, NO PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS ITEM.
UH, WE'LL NOW, UH, TAKE OUR VOTE.
UH, WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER THREE.
UH, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ THE MATTER ITEM THREE RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE A PRESENTATION FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROVIDING AN UPDATE ON ONGOING COMMUNITY OUTREACH RELATED TO CITY'S JUST CAUSE POLICY FRAMEWORK CONSIDERATIONS.
OKAY, LET'S GO AHEAD A SECOND.
[3. 26-55156 Recommendation to receive and file a presentation from the Community Development Department providing an update on ongoing community outreach related to the City’s Just Cause policy framework considerations. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
NO, NO.AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE THE STAFF TO BRING FORWARD THEIR PRESENTATION, MARY DOWELL.
ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
UH, TODAY'S PRESENTATION PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF THE CITY'S JUST CAUSE PROTECTIONS, UH, FOR POSTERITY.
KEY THEMES RAISED THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS AND A SNAPSHOT OF THE RESEARCH INTO TENANT PROTECTION POLICIES OF OTHER CALIFORNIA CITIES.
UH, LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 8.99, ALSO KNOWN AS THE JUST COST FOR TERMINATION OF TENANCY'S ORDINANCE ESTABLISHES PROTECTIONS FOR TENANTS AGAINST UNJUSTIFIED DISPLACEMENT.
THE ORDINANCE WAS ADOPTED IN 2020 AND MODELED AFTER THE CALIFORNIA TENANT PROTECTION ACT OF 2019 TO PROVIDE HOUSING STABILITY AND ESTABLISH CLEAR LEGAL STANDARDS FOR WHEN A TENANCY MAY BE TERMINATED.
SINCE 2020, THE CITY ENTERED INTO CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE RIGHT TO COUNCIL SERVICES AMENDED THE POLICY AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
STAFF HAS CONTINUED MONITORING, IMPLEMENTATION, COMMUNITY IMPACTS AND EMERGING CONCERNS RELATED TO TENANCY TERMINATIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
ONCE A TENANT HAS OCCUPIED A UNIT FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS, A TENANCY MAY ONLY BE TERMINATED FOR A QUALIFYING JUST CAUSE REASON.
THESE REASONS FALL INTO TWO CATEGORIES AT FAULT AND NO FAULT JUST CAUSES ATFA REASONS INCLUDE SITUATIONS SUCH AS NON-PAYMENT OF RENT, LEASE VIOLATIONS, NUISANCE ACTIVITY OR CRIMINAL CONDUCT.
NO FAULT REASONS INVOLVE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE TENANT HAS NOT VIOLATED THE LEASE, SUCH AS OWNER MOVE IN WITHDRAWAL OF THE PROPERTY FROM THE RENTAL MARKET, COMPLIANCE WITH A GOVERNMENT ISSUED ORDER OR DEMOLITION OR SUBSTANTIAL REHABILITATION OF THE PROPERTY.
ONE OF THE MOST DISCUSSED NO-FAULT CATEGORIES DURING OUTREACH HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIAL REMODELED TENANCY TERMINATIONS, WHICH I'LL DISCUSS IN MORE DETAIL SHORTLY, WHEN A TENANCY IS TERMINATED FOR A NO FAULT, JUST CAUSE TENANTS ARE ENTITLED TO RELOCATION ASSISTANCE.
TENANTS DISPLACED DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL TERMINATIONS MUST RECEIVE RELOCATION ASSISTANCE EQUAL TO $4,500 OR TWO MONTHS RENT PER HOUSEHOLD, WHICHEVER IS GREATER FOR ALL OF THEIR NO FAULT JUST CAUSES THE REQUIRED AMOUNT IS EQUAL TO
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ONE MONTH'S RENT.THE RELOCATION ASSISTANCE MUST BE PROVIDED WITHIN 15 DAYS OF TERMIN OF THE TERMINATION NOTICE BEING SERVED.
THE ORDINANCE DEFINES SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL AS THE REPLACEMENT OR SUBSTANTIAL MODIFICATION OF ANY STRUCTURAL, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, OR MECHANICAL SYSTEM THAT REQUIRES A PERMIT FROM A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OR THE ABATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, INCLUDING LEAD-BASED PAINT, MOLD, OR ASBESTOS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS THAT CANNOT BE REASONABLY ACCOMPLISHED IN A SAFE MANNER WITH THE TENANT IN PLACE.
AND THAT REQUIRES THE TENANT TO VACATE THE RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY FOR AT LEAST 30 CONSECUTIVE DAYS.
A TENANT IS NOT REQUIRED TO VACATE ON ANY DAYS WHERE THEY COULD CONTINUE LIVING IN THE UNIT WITHOUT VIOLATING HEALTH SAFETY AND HABITABILITY CODES AND LAWS.
IMPORTANTLY, COSMETIC IMPROVEMENTS ALONE DO NOT QUALIFY AS SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL NO MATTER HOW INCONVENIENT PROPERTY OWNERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY PERMITS BEFORE ISSUING A SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL TERMINATION NOTICE.
ADDITIONALLY, IF THE WORK IS NOT COMPLETED, THE ORDINANCE REQUIRES THE OWNER TO OFFER THE TENANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO RE-RENT THE UNIT UNDER THE PREVIOUS LEASE TERMS. THE ORDINANCE ALSO INCLUDES SEVERAL EXEMPTIONS BASED ON PROPERTY TYPE AND OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE.
EXAMPLES INCLUDE OWNER OCCUPIED SHARED HOUSING, CERTAIN OWNER OCCUPIED SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTIES AND DUPLEXES, NEWER CONSTRUCTION WITHIN THE LAST 15 YEARS, AND SOME SEPARATELY ALIEN ALIENABLE PROPERTIES, EXCUSE ME, SUCH AS CONDOS AND SINGLE FAMILY HOMES WHERE OWNERSHIP DOES NOT FALL, FALL UNDER CERTAIN CORPORATE STRUCTURES.
THESE EXEMPTIONS ALIGN WITH THE THE STATE LAW AND WERE ESTABLISHED TO BALANCE TENANT PROTECTIONS WITH SPECIFIC PROPERTY OWNERSHIP CIRCUMSTANCES.
WITH THE ADOPTION OF THE POLICY COUNCIL DIRECTED STAFF TO TRACK SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL JUST CAUSE EVICTIONS SINCE APRIL, 2023, THE CITY HAS RECEIVED NOTICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DISPLACEMENT OF AT LEAST 219 TENANTS FROM AT LEAST 167 UNITS DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL.
APPROXIMATELY 28% OF THESE FILINGS OCCURRED IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
AS PART OF OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS.
STAFF RECEIVED INPUT FROM TENANTS, ADVOCATES, LANDLORDS, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS REGARDING THE ORDINANCE AND POTENTIAL POLICY CHANGES.
MANY TENANTS AND TENANT ADVOCATES EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS, INCLUDING ELIMINATING SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL AS A JUST CAUSE, ESTABLISHING A STRONGER RIGHT OF FIRST RETURN, EXPANDING PROTECTIONS UNIVERSALLY REGARDLESS OF PROPERTY TYPE AND INCREASING RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AMOUNTS.
AT THE SAME TIME, PROPERTY OWNERS AND LANDLORDS RAISE CONCERNS REGARDING THE ABILITY TO PERFORM NECESSARY RENOVATIONS, THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF INCREASED RELOCATION ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS AND BROADER CONCERNS RELATED TO HOUSING OPERATIONS AND INVESTMENT.
THE MOST FREQUENTLY DISCUSSED TOPIC ACROSS NEARLY ALL OUTREACH EFFORTS WAS SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL TENANCY TERMINATIONS, APPROXIMATELY 70 TO 75% OF COMMENTS SUPPORTED MEASURES SUCH AS CLOSING PERCEIVED LOOPHOLES RELATED TO SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL TERMINATIONS, INCREASING RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AND EXPANDING ANTI DISPLACEMENT PROTECTIONS.
APPROXIMATELY 18 TO 22% OF COMMENTS EXPRESSED CONCERNS REGARDING FINANCIAL IMPACTS ON SMALL PROPERTY OWNERS, PROPERTY RIGHTS ISSUES AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON HOUSING SUPPLY AND INVESTMENT.
AND A SMALLER PORTION OF FEEDBACK WAS NEUTRAL OR MIXED, GENERALLY REQUESTING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH EDUCATION ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS OR IMPLEMENTATION ANALYSIS.
IN PARALLEL WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, STAFF CONDUCTED RESEARCH INTO TENANT PROTECTION POLICIES ADOPTED BY OTHER CALIFORNIA C CITIES.
THESE CITIES WERE SELECTED BECAUSE THEY SHARE CHARACTERISTICS WITH LONG BEACH RELATED TO HOUSING AFFORDABILITY PRESSURES, RENTER POPULATION SIZE AND TENANT DISPLACEMENT CONCERNS, AND REPRESENT VARYING APPROACHES TO TENANT PROTECTION IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES.
THIS CHART PRESENTS KEY POLICY AREAS, INCLUDING WAITING PERIODS BEFORE PROTECTIONS APPLY, RELOCATION ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS RIGHT OF FIRST RETURN PROVISIONS AND HOW CITIES REGULATE SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL TENANCY TERMINATIONS.
THE RESEARCH FOUND SIGNIFICANT VARIATION BETWEEN JURISDICTIONS.
FOR EXAMPLE, SOME CITIES PROHIBIT PERMANENT DISPLACEMENT FOR SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL ALTOGETHER AND ONLY ALLOW FOR TEMPORARY RELOCATION WHILE OTHERS REQUIRE ENHANCED RELOCATION PAYMENTS OR STRONGER TENANT RETURN RIGHTS.
THE RESEARCH ALSO FOUND THAT MANY CITIES HAVE MORE FORMALIZED TENANT PROTECTION, UH, ADMINISTRATIVE ADMINISTRATION STRUCTURES SUCH AS RENT STABILIZATION BOARDS OR DEDICATED RENTAL HOUSING DIVISIONS.
OVERALL, STAFF IDENTIFIED SEVERAL NOTABLE TRENDS THROUGH THE COMPARATIVE RESEARCH.
FIRST, RELOCATION ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS VARY WIDELY ACROSS JURISDICTIONS RANGING FROM SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SUBSTANTIALLY
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LARGER AMOUNTS DEPENDING ON HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS AND TENANCY LENGTH.SECOND, MANY CITIES INCLUDE ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS RELATED TO SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL TERMINATIONS, SUCH AS PROVIDING RELOCATION ASSISTANCE TO EACH TENANT VERSUS PER HOUSEHOLD, UH, PROVIDING A RIGHT OF FIRST RETURN AT THE SAME RENTAL RATE, ALLOWING ONLY TEMPORARY EVICTION AND HAVING A 45 DAY THRESHOLD FOR TENANCY TERMINATION AS OPPOSED TO OUR 30 DAY THRESHOLD.
ADDITIONALLY, MOST OF THE CITY'S REVIEW DO NOT REQUIRE A 12 MONTH WAITING PERIOD FOR BEFORE PRE TENANT PROTECTIONS APPLY.
AND LASTLY, MANY JURISDICTIONS HAVE DEDICATED REGULATORY OR ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES OVERSEEING IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE, WHICH MAKES A LOT OF THESE PROVISIONS POSSIBLE TO BEST SERVE.
THE COMMUNITY STAFF HAS CONTINUED COORDINATING INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY TO IMPROVE CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY REGARDING THE ORDINANCE.
STAFF HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH BUILDING AND SAFETY TO REFINE THE INTERPRETATION OF SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL REQUIREMENTS AND PROVIDE CLEARER GUIDANCE TO BOTH TENANTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS WHEN PROPOSED WORK DOES NOT MEET THE THRESHOLD ESTABLISHED UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
STAFF ISSUES, OPINION LETTERS TO CLARIFY THAT THE WORK DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL.
TENANCY TERMINATION STAFF ALSO CONTINUES PARTNERING WITH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS STAY HOUSED LA, THE FAIR HOUSING FOUNDATION AND LOCAL TENANT ADVOCACY GROUPS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REFERRALS AND LEGAL RESOURCES TO IMPACTED TENANTS OVERALL STAFF'S WORK IN THIS AREA IS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING CLARITY TO THE COMMUNITY ON THE JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE TRACKING TRENDS IN SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL ACTIVITY AND REDUCING UNNECESSARY TENANT DISPLACEMENT THROUGH GUIDANCE, COORDINATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
UM, WE'LL NOW GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
UM, A BIG PART OF TODAY'S, UH, MEETING IS TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC ON THIS MATTER.
UH, WE CERTAINLY HAVE HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC DURING OUR GENERAL AND REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGS AND WANTED TO TAKE SOME TIME AND COMMITTEE, UH, TO GO A LITTLE BIT DEEPER AND UNDERSTAND, UH, ALL PERSPECTIVES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AT THIS TIME.
I'LL ASK MADAM CLERK HOW MANY SPEAKERS WE HAVE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT CHAIR.
WE HAVE 44 PEOPLE THAT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
OKAY, SO AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE WE HAVE 44, UH, SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR TODAY, UH, EACH SPEAKER WILL BE ALLOTTED ONE MINUTE AND 30 SECONDS, UH, FOR THEIR PUBLIC COMMENT.
UH, YOU WILL BE CALLED AND ASKED TO COME UP TO THE PODIUM.
WE WILL SEEK TO CALL SEVERAL NAMES IN GROUPS.
IF YOU DO HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM AND LINE UP IN THAT ORDER.
UH, THERE WILL BE A CLOCK, UH, ACCORDINGLY TO PROVIDE YOU UPDATES ON YOUR TIME, UM, AND WHEN YOUR TIME HAS CONCLUDED.
UH, IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO IN TERMS OF STOPPING, WE'LL CERTAINLY LET YOU KNOW.
SO WE WILL BE CALLING THE FIRST 10 SPEAKERS, WELL NUMBERS ONE THROUGH 10, PLEASE LINE UP THE PODIUM.
GOOD AFTERNOON CHAIR AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
I AM THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER FOR THE LONG BEACH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPRESENTING OVER 1000 BUSINESSES ACROSS THE CITY.
THE CHAMBER STRONGLY OPPOSES ANY FUTURE EXPANSION OF LOCAL JUST CAUSE EVICTION POLICIES THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE CURRENT 12 MONTH THRESHOLD OR WEAKEN SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL PROVISIONS.
THE EXISTING 12 MONTH STANDARD IS ALREADY PART OF CALIFORNIA'S STATEWIDE JUST CAUSE FRAMEWORK AND REFLECTS AN INTENTIONAL BALANCE BETWEEN TENANT PROTECTIONS AND THE REALITIES FACING HOUSING PROVIDERS.
ELIMINATING THAT THRESHOLD LOCALLY WILL NOT IMPROVE HOUSING ACCESS.
IT WILL JUST INCREASE RISK AVERSION.
WHEN PROPERTY OWNERS BELIEVE REMOVING A PROBLEMATIC TENANCY COULD TAKE MONTHS OF LITIGATION, THEY BECOME MORE SELECTIVE DURING SCREENING AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO ONLY RENT TO APPLICANTS VIEWED PERFECT ON PAPER.
THAT CREATES FEWER OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS WHO ALREADY FACE BARRIERS IN THE HOUSING MARKET.
WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT EFFORTS TO WEAKEN SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL PROVISIONS.
LONG BEACH HAS ONE OF THE OLDEST HOUSING STOCKS IN CALIFORNIA AND MANY PROPERTY OWNERS ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH RISING INSURANCE COSTS AND E EXPENSIVE UPGRADE REQUIREMENTS TIED TO OBTAINING COVERAGE.
MOST HOUSING PROVIDERS IN LONG BEACH ARE NOT LARGE CORPORATIONS.
THEY'RE SMALL PROPERTY OWNERS TRYING TO MAINTAIN AGING BUILDINGS UNDER INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FINANCIAL CONDITIONS.
POLICIES THAT DISCOURAGE REINVESTMENT AND HOUSING STOCK OR FURTHER INCREASE OPERATIONAL RISK WILL ULTIMATELY HURT BOTH PROPERTY OWNERS AND RENTERS ALIKE.
WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF THIS CONVERSATION AND URGE THE COMMITTEE, UH, TO INCLUDE US AS DISCUSSIONS.
BEFORE WE CONTINUE, MADAM CLERK, IT APPEARS THAT WE HAVE EXACTLY JUST ABOUT, UH, JUST UNDER AN HOUR.
SO WE WILL HAVE TO GO TO, UH, ONE MINUTE OR 60 SECONDS FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
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MADAM CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER DAVID KISSINGER WITH THE PACIFIC WEST ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.ON BEHALF OF SEVERAL THOUSAND REALTORS IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, I'M A LONG BEACH RESIDENT MYSELF.
FOR 25 YEARS WE HAVE JOINED THE CHAMBER'S POSITION AND IN ASKING YOU TO DISCOURAGE FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE JUST CAUSE PROGRAM, WHICH AS I UNDERSTAND ALREADY ALIGNS WITH EXISTING STATE STANDARDS.
UM, AND THAT LETTER IS ON THE RECORD.
SO I'LL JUST TELL YOU THIS, THE BIG UNDERLYING CONCERN HERE IS THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH HOUSING UNITS AVAILABLE THAT HAS THE EFFECT OF RAISING COSTS.
AS OF MAKING IT HARDER FOR FOLKS TO FIND HARDER FOR FOLKS TO KEEP BECAUSE OF THE COST MORE HOUSING UNITS COMING ONLINE IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS THAT WE CAN RESOLVE AND MITIGATE THIS RISK.
I KNOW LONG BEACH IS DOING IT, PART LONG BEACH AND ALL CITIES HAVE TO DO MORE.
WE'RE SO FAR BEHIND THAT THIS IS REALLY ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO MITIGATE THAT CONCERN.
SO I WANNA ENCOURAGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO KEEP MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION TO ENCOURAGE MORE HOUSING UNITS TO COME ONLINE AND NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH JUST CAUSE EXPANSION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
WE OWN A TRIPLEX HERE IN DISTRICT ONE.
UM, WE THINK THAT POLICY DISCUSSIONS SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE REALITY THAT REHAB IS EXPENSIVE.
UM, AS OWNERS LIKE OURSELVES INVEST SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF MONEY MODERNIZING OLDER HOUSING, THERE MUST BE SOME REALISTIC WAY TO RECOVER THESE INVESTMENTS.
UH, WHAT CONCERNS US ABOUT PROPOSALS TO ELIMINATE SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL EVICTIONS IS THAT THEY IGNORE THE REALITIES OF MAINTAINING AND REHABBING AGING HOUSING STOCK.
UH, AND WE DO ALSO WANNA HIGHLIGHT HOW EXCITING IT IS TO HEAR THAT THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST IS UNDERWAY.
BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT BOTH MODELS REQUIRE, UH, ECONOMIC VIABILITY.
UH, LAND TRUSTS USE GRANTS PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP TO PRESERVE AFFORDABILITY, WHEREAS WE INVEST PRIVATE CAPITAL WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THESE, UH, MAINTENANCE COSTS CAN EVENTUALLY BE RECOVERED.
SO WHILE WE'RE COMING AT HOUSING FROM DIFFERENT MODELS, WE BOTH NEED RESOURCES TO SUSTAIN.
UH, SAFE HOUSING LONG BEACH SHOULD ENCOURAGE EVERY PATHWAY FOR, FOR PRESERVING HOUSING THAT YOU'VE HEARD HERE, LAND TRUST, PRIVATE CAPITAL, AND SO FORTH.
NEXT, NEXT SPEAKER, FRED SUTTON WITH THE CALIFORNIA APARTMENT ASSOCIATION.
UM, LONG BEACH ALREADY HAS STRICTER STANDARDS THAN THE STATE AND THERE ARE NOT LOOPHOLES IN THE STATEWIDE LAW.
IT WAS SPECIFICALLY CREATED TO BALANCE THE NEED TO PROTECT RESIDENTS WHILE ENSURING HOUSING PROVIDERS ARE ABLE TO REMOVE NUISANCES AND INCENTIVIZE INVESTMENT IN VERY OLD HOUSING STOCK.
A LOT OF THE CITIES THAT WERE PUT UP THERE ARE NOT REALLY COMPARABLE CITIES.
THEY'RE RENT CONTROLLED CITIES.
UM, SO COMPARED TO RENT CONTROLLED CITIES, THIS IS DIFFERENT.
BUT THE MAJORITY OF CITIES IN CALIFORNIA DO NOT HAVE, UM, AS RESTRICTIVE STANDARDS AS ARE THAT ARE BEING ADVOCATED FOR WHAT ARE BEING CALLED FOR ARE FAILED POLICIES FROM LOS ANGELES LONG BEACH SHOULD BE EMULATING THE POLICIES OF THE MOST THRIVING HOUSING MARKETS, NOT THE ONES TO BE KNOWN TO BE MOST STRUGGLING.
WE URGE THE COUNCIL TO FOCUS ON INCENTIVES, PROMOTING GROWTH, WHICH WILL MAKE HOUSING ABUNDANT FOR ALL AND REJECT EVER MORE REGULATIONS.
UH, THIS SHOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD IN ANY CAPACITY.
JOSEPH RAMOS WITH APARTMENT ASSOCIATION OF GREATER LOS ANGELES.
AS A COM CO COMMITTEE PRESENTATION STATES OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN 167 UNITS, NOT BUILDINGS THAT HAVE HAD EITHER SUBSTANTIAL REMODELS OR DEMOLITION.
NO FACTS ARE GIVEN US TO US TO WHAT PERCENTAGE ARE SUBSTANTIAL REMODELS, EVEN IF WE ASSUME A HUNDRED PERCENT, THAT IS AN INCREDIBLY SMALL NUMBER OF RENTERS COMPARED TO A TOTAL OF 265 RENTERS IN LONG BEACH.
THUS, NEITHER SUBSTANTIAL REMODELS NOR DEMOLITIONS ARE BEING ABUSED BY OWNERS IN LONG BEACH AND ARE IN FACT ONLY BEING USED WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY, 86% OF LONG BEACH RENTAL HOUSING WAS BUILT ON OR BEFORE 1980 ACCORDING TO GOLDSTAR DATA.
THAT MEANS THAT THESE PROPERTIES ARE AT LEAST 46 YEARS OLD AND WILL NEED MAJOR SYSTEM REPAIRS IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO CONTINUE BEING SAFE AND AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING.
THE IDEA OF EITHER ELIMINATING SUBSTANTIAL MODELS OR DRASTICALLY INCREASING RELOCATION FEES WILL ONLY FORCE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OFF THE MARKET.
SUCH POLICIES WOULD CREATE FORCED IFICATION OF LONG BEACH RENTAL HOUSING AND ARE THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THE CITY SHOULD BE PURSUING, NAMELY THE PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION NATURALLY OCCURRING AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING.
I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA TODAY.
MY NAME IS REVEREND JEN TOFL AND I'M A MINISTER AND COMMUNITY AT FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH LOCATED IN DISTRICT ONE AND I'M ALSO REPRESENTING CLUE WE'RE CONTINUING, CONTINUING TO CALL ON THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES, HAVING ESTABLISHED AND ENSURING HOUSING STABILITY FOR ITS RESIDENTS BY STRENGTHENING THE JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE WITH REMOVING SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL AS A REASON FOR EVICTION, SETTING A REASONABLE NON-PAYMENT THRESHOLD MAKING JUST CAUSE PROTECTIONS UNIVERSAL MATCHING RELOCATION ASSISTANCE TO LA COUNTY STANDARDS.
SAFE AND SECURE HOUSING MEANS THAT COMMUNITIES THRIVE WHEN OUR NEIGHBORS ARE NOT UNDER CONSTANT STRESS.
THE STRESS IN PAYING RENT BILLS, PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE IMPACTS HEALTH ON ALL LEVELS AND FAM FAMILY
[00:40:01]
SUSTAINABILITY.COMMUNITIES THRIVE WHEN NEEDS ARE MET AND MY FAITH COMPELS ME TO SUPPORT JUST CAUSE PROTECTIONS.
IN, I'M DOING RIGHT NEXT SPEAKER.
I'M SORRY I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR FORMALITIES.
SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATION, UH, NOT ARBITRARY.
MY LANDLORD PULLED SOME PERMITS, GAVE ME AN EVICTION NOTICE.
CITY PLANNING, SAID NOBODY HAS TO BE RELOCATED.
THE FACT IS THAT I DON'T HAVE TO MOVE NOW BECAUSE HE FALSIFIED HIS PERMITS.
MARY DOW I GOT THREE PHONE CALLS INTO YOU, BUT EVENTUALLY HE UNDERSTOOD THAT MY EVICTION IS NOT VALID BECAUSE THE CONTRACTOR AND HIM HAVE CONTRARY IDEAS OF WHAT A SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL WOULD, WOULD HOW AFFECT ME AND IT AND IT DOESN'T.
BUT MY LANDLORD HAS NOW SENT AN ARCHITECT INTO MY APARTMENT WITHOUT MY PERMISSION, WHICH I WILL HANDLE SEPARATELY.
AND, AND THE ARCHITECT IS THERE TO REMODEL MY UNIT.
HE'S PUTTING ALL HIS PERMITS ON HOLD.
'CAUSE NOW HE'S GONNA SHUT UP THE BIG MOUTH AND HE'LL PUT THE TOILET IN THE LIVING ROOM IF IT MEANS HE CAN GET ME OUT.
SO THERE IS A LOOPHOLE AND IT'S CALLED RE REQUIRED.
HELLO, MY NAME IS CYNTHIA TORRES AND I AM HERE WITH LIBRE.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA LAST TIME WE WERE HERE.
UM, SO I WORK CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS ACROSS LONG BEACH EVERY DAY.
AND WHAT I SEE IS A PATTERN ONE WHERE PEOPLE ARE WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS, YOU KNOW, PICKING UP OVERTIME, CARING FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND ELDERS FINDING THE TIME TO SHOW UP THEIR COMMUNITY AND YET THROUGH IT ALL HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HOW ONE FINANCIAL EMERGENCY OR A GREEDY LANDLORD ON A WHIM CAN COMPLETELY SHAKE UP THEIR STABILITY AND LIVELIHOOD.
THAT'S WHY I'M URGING THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TO STRENGTHEN JUST CAUSE THE JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE BY REMOVING SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL LOOPHOLES, SETTING A REASONABLE, REASONABLE NONPAYMENT THRESHOLD AND MAKING JUST CAUSE PROTECTIONS UNIVERSAL.
THE CONCEPT OF A SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL HAS BECOME A LOOPHOLE THAT DISPLACES LONG-TERM TENANTS UNDER THE GUISE OF AN IMPROVEMENT.
COMMUNITIES ARE NOT STRENGTHENED WHEN RESIDENTS ARE FORCED OUT OF NEIGHBORHOODS THAT THEY HAVE BUILT THEIR LIVES IN.
AND WE CANNOT CONTINUE PRIORITIZING PROPERTY TURNOVER OVER OUR COMMUNITY STABILITY.
EVICTION PREVENTION IS COMMUNITY CARE AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MOST AFFECTED BY THIS HOUSING CRISIS AREN'T ASKING FOR LUR.
IT'S JUST THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN THEIR HOMES.
I'D LIKE TO CALL UP THE NEXT 10 SPEAKERS.
SO WILL THE NEXT 10 PLEASE LINE UP? YOU MAY BEGIN.
HELLO, MY NAME IS RORY HERRERA.
I AM HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM RE A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
I HAVE LIVED IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOUR TIMES IN THE SEVEN YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE IN LONG BEACH.
UH, THE VERY FIRST UH, PLACE I LIVED HERE IN LONG BEACH, THE LANDLADY WHO AFTER I PUT IN A HEALTH INSPECTION, UH, REQUIREMENT FOR HER TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE ACTUAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEY WERE ROACHES AND RATS, SHE DECIDED THAT SHE WAS GOING TO EVICT ALL THE TENANTS AND RENOVATE TO AVOID THAT HEALTH INSPECTION.
SO WE, WHEN WE RESIDENTS ARE TELLING YOU THAT THESE USE THESE AS A WAY TO GET AROUND ACCOUNTABILITY, WE ARE BEING SERIOUS.
THERE ARE MANY OTHER LOOPHOLES THAT THEY USE AS WELL AS LIKE IF YOU HAVEN'T PAID YOUR RENT FOR ONE MONTH, IF YOU HAVE NOT, UH, IF YOUR BUILDING IS LESS THAN 15 YEARS OLD, UH, THINGS THAT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.
I'M BECKY JENISON WITH LEGAL AID FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES.
WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES OUT OF FOUR SITES HERE IN LONG BEACH.
WE'RE HERE WITH OUR PARTNERS TO UPLIFT THE FOUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO REFORM AND IMPROVE THE JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE.
BUT I'M JUST GONNA FOCUS ON, UM, SUBSTANTIAL REHABILITATION AND WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS RECOMMENDATION EXACTLY ALIGNS WITH YOUR PRIORITIES AS OUTLINED IN YOUR STATE APPROVED HOUSING ELEMENT.
UM, PROGRAM 5.2 OF THE ELEMENT FOCUSES ON THESE TENANT PROTECTIONS AND IN THE STATE'S APPROVAL LETTER, UM, THEY NOTE THAT THEY'RE COMMITTED TO MONITORING THE CITY IN ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM THAT WOULD ELIMINATE SUBSTANTIAL REHAB FROM THE LIST OF CAUSE OF EVICTIONS AND INCREASE RELOCATION BENEFITS.
AND SO NOT ONLY IS IT AN OPPORTUNITY, IT'S A REQUIREMENT OF STATE LAW FOR YOU TO TAKE ACTION.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TO ADVANCE THESE IMPROVEMENTS WITH YOU.
I LIVE HERE IN LONG BEACH AND I WORK WITH COMMUNITIES OF DISABILITY
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AND OLDER ADULTS AND WE NEED EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE UPSTREAM TENANT PROTECTIONS, NOT JUST ONE, NOT TWO.AND WE JUST HAD A HUGE CONFERENCE WITH OLDER ADULTS AND WE TALKED ABOUT HOUSING STABILITY AND THE ENTIRE AUDITORIUM GOT UP AND WENT OVER TO THE RECENTLY OPENED, UH, RENTAL PROGRAM THAT'S BEING RUN BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
PEOPLE ARE LITERALLY FREAKED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A STRATEGY TO LOOK INTO THE FUTURE AND PROTECT THEIR HOUSING STATUS.
PLEASE CONSIDER UPSTREAM PROTECTIONS.
NEXT SPEAKER ESTEEM COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
I'M A HOUSING PROVIDER HERE IN LONG BEACH AND A RESIDENT HERE OF LONG BEACH.
UM, AND AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER, I JUST WANT TO HAVE FAIR AND BALANCED POLICIES THAT ARE BOTH GOOD FOR TENANTS AND HOUSING PROVIDERS.
SO LET'S KEEP THAT IN MIND AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
MY NAME IS MIA, SHE ROBINSON AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT COUNCIL EIGHT AND I'M HERE TO ADDRESS THE SEVERE DISPARITIES AND LACK OF RESOURCES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO SENIORS IN OUR CITY.
I'M A CITIZEN OF FOR OVER 35, 30 YEARS FACING EVICTION BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD BOTH MY RENT AND MY RISING COSTS OF ESSENTIAL MEDICATIONS DUE TO RECENT MEDICARE CUTS.
AND BECAUSE OF THIS I HAVE DECIDED BETWEEN EXPENSIVE NEEDED MEDICATIONS AND RENT, I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO PAY.
DESPITE MY CRITICAL NEED FOR MY, I'M SORRY.
DESPITE MY, UM, NEED, I PUT IN AN APPLICATION FOR RES AID AND WAS RECENTLY DENIED WITHOUT EXPLANATION OR AN INVESTIGATION WITHOUT ACCESS TO AVAILABLE FUNDS, LACK OF RESOURCES ACROSS THE CITY, 50%, 52% OF HOUSE HOLDS.
HELLO, UH, MY NAME IS ERIN FOLEY.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
I'VE BEEN A RENTER IN LONG BEACH FOR THE PAST 21 YEARS.
I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF CLOSING SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL LOOPHOLE AND STRONGER PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS IN OUR RENTER MAJORITY CITY.
UM, WHEN AN EARLIER SPEAKER MENTIONED THAT LONG BEACH WOULD BENEFIT ABOUT WITH HAVING MORE HOMES ON THE MARKET, AND THIS IS THE RESPONSE TO A SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL EVICTION, WHO IS THAT BENE BETTER FOR? AND WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING DISPLACED? IS IT TO BRING MORE PEOPLE FROM ELSEWHERE IN HERE? LET'S THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY HERE.
UM, I WANT RIGHT NOW IT'S BEING USED AS A TACTIC OF INTIMIDATION.
PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO REPORT CODE VIOLATIONS AND HA AND TO PUSH BACK FOR THE LANDLORD TO LIVE UP TO THEIR SIDE OF THE BARGAIN, YOU KNOW, TO, FOR THE HABIT HABITABILITY, UH, ASPECT OF IT.
I'VE HEARD STORIES ACROSS THE CITY FROM TENANTS DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT, JUST BEING FORCED OUT BECAUSE OF THIS LOOPHOLE, OFTEN FOR REMODELING THAT IS UNNECESSARY AND OR DOESN'T REALLY REQUIRE THEIR DISPLACEMENT.
SO I JUST WANNA THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP AND TO VOTE FOR CLOSING THAT LOOPHOLE.
MY NAME IS DEANNA KNOWLES, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE.
I ECHO WHAT YOU'VE HEARD THUS FAR.
I ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER ERADICATING THE LOOPHOLES OF SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL AND STRENGTHEN OUR JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE.
WHILE WE ENCOURAGE THE BEAUTIFICATION OF HARD HOUSING, WE DO NOT AND SHOULD NOT EXPECT THAT TO COME AT A COST OF A LOOPHOLE THAT LANDLORDS CONTINUE TO ABUSE AND USE AS A JUSTIFICATION FOR EVICTION.
PLEASE CONSIDER STRENGTHENING OUR JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE.
I AM DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH AND ORGANIZING WITH LIBRE AND A RENTER IN DISTRICT ONE.
MY TEAM AND I WORK ON THE FRONT LINES OF EVICTION AND DISPLACEMENT.
WE IMPLEMENT THE STATEHOUSE DE PROGRAM, WHICH UM, GIVES US RIGHT TO COUNSEL HERE IN LONG BEACH AND WE SEE DAY IN AND DAY OUT HOW MUCH SUBSTANTIAL REBUTTAL AFFECTS OUR COMMUNITY.
I AM SO FULL OF EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE HEARING WHAT, UM, PROPERTY OWNERS ARE SAYING IS SO FAR FROM REALITY AND I WANNA USE THE REST OF MY TIME TO HIGHLIGHT.
THERE IS A GAP IN THE CITY'S DATA.
UM, THE NUMBER SEEMS LOW WHEN IT COMES TO SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL EVICTIONS, BUT I WANNA SAY IT IS MUCH HIGHER.
[00:50:01]
OR SORRY LANDLORD ATTORNEYS WHO TEACH LANDLORDS EXACTLY HOW TO USE SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL TO GET RID OF TENANTS THEY DON'T WANT ANYMORE.THIS IS A LOOPHOLE WE HAVE TO CLOSE.
YOUR TIME IS, UH, GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH LIBRE.
UM, I'M CALLING ON, UH, LONG BEACH AND ALL THE CITY COUNCIL TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD CITIES THAT HAVE ESTABLISHED TO ENSURE HOUSING STABILITY FOR ITS RESIDENT BY STRENGTHENING THE JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE WITH REMOVING SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL AS A REASON FOR EVICTION AND FOR MAKING JUST CAUSE PROTECTION UNIVERSAL.
SO WE WILL BE LOOKING AT YOU ALL.
MY NAME IS JOEL BARAGON AND I'M A RESIDENT OF COUNCIL DISTRICT NUMBER ONE.
I'M ALSO A GRADUATE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM.
UM, SO WE'RE CALLING ON THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
UH, CITIES HAVE ESTABLISHED AND ENSURE HOUSING STABILITY FOR ITS RESIDENTS BY STRAINING THE JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE WITH REMOVING SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL AS A REASON FOR EVICTION SETTING A REASONABLE NON-PAYMENT THRESHOLD MAKING JUST CAUSE PROTECTIONS UNIVERSAL MATCHING RELOCATION ASSISTANCE TO LA COUNTY STANDARDS.
AND WE WILL LIKE SAFE, STABLE, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL.
BEFORE WE HAVE THE NEXT SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO ASK FOR SPEAKERS 21 THROUGH 30 TO PLEASE LINE UP.
HELLO COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM MAP.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR CORRECTION.
THIS, UM, DISCUSS ORDINANCE WERE CREATED TO PROTECT RENTERS FROM UNFAIR DISPLACEMENT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NO LONGER THE REALITY THAT MANY TENANTS FACE.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST LOOPHOLES IS SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL EVICTIONS.
RIGHT NOW LANDLORDS CAN FORCE TENANTS OUT OF RE RENOVATIONS THAT ARE OFTEN MINOR COSMETIC AND THE CITY DATA DOES NOT TELL THE FULL STORY.
IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE NETS WHO SELF VIC, BECAUSE THEY FEEL PRESSURE, INTIMIDATE OR INTIMIDATED, AND IT DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR LANDLORDS WHO FAIL TO NOTIFY THE CITY AT ALL.
THAT MEANS DISPLACEMENT IS LIKELY BEING UNDER COUNTED.
CLOSING THIS LOOPHOLE IS NOT A RADICAL PROPOSAL.
A STRENGTHENING PROTECTIONS AROUND SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL WAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED AS A RECOMMENDATION IN THE LONG BEACH HOUSING ELEMENT.
WE NEEDED STRONGER DISCUSS ELECTION PROTECTIONS THAT MATCH STANDARDS IN OUR REGION, ELIMINATE THE SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL, CREATE REASONABLE NON-PAYMENT, AND AND ENSURE RELOCATION ASSISTANCE ACTUALLY REFLECT THE COST OF DISPLACEMENT.
HOUSING STABILITY IS THE FOUNDATION OF A HEALTHY COMMUNITY.
I'M FROM THE NORTH SIDE LONG BEACH.
I REPRESENT ALL THE PEOPLE WITH LOW UH, AND MEDIUM INCOME.
AND OVER HERE, YOU KNOW, I'M WORKING WITH LIBRE, UH, LONG BEACH FOR JUST ECONOMY AND I'M THE NEW ORGANIZER FOR, UH, COMMUNITY LAND TRUST.
THE REASON WHY I'M HERE IS BECAUSE WE ARE RECEIVING CALLS DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY THROUGH LIBRE AND ALL OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FROM PEOPLE THAT IS SUFFERING EVICTION, PEOPLE THAT IS GETTING THEIR THREE DAY NOTICE, PEOPLE THAT IS GETTING THEIR, YOU KNOW, ONE MONTH NOTICE.
AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I NEVER THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THAT BIG IN OUR CITY.
SO THEREFORE I'M HERE TO ASK OUR CITY TO PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THEY MAKE, YOU KNOW, STRONGER THE, UM, THE JUSTICE CAUSE PROGRAM BECAUSE WE REALLY NEED IT.
UH, ME WITH UH, ANOTHER 27 ORGANIZATIONS ARE THE ONES RECEIVING THESE CALLS AND TRYING TO HELP.
I'M WITH LIBRE LONG BEACH, RESIDENTS IN POWER.
I AM A LONG BEACH NATIVE WHO, UM, WAS UH, UH, I GUESS I'M A VICTIM OF JUST CAUSE NOT NOT HAVING PROTECTIONS, SO I WAS GENTRIFIED.
I ALSO WORK WITH THE STATE HOUSE LA TEAM, WHICH IS A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE THAT HELP PEOPLE WHERE I DIDN'T RECEIVE HELP.
UM, WE CANNOT, LIKE, IT'S SAD FOR ME.
I'M TRYING TO BE, UM, UH, MY TIME ANYWAY, I GREW UP IN LONG BEACH AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO MOVE BACK AND LIVE HERE.
UM, I GOT EVICTED BECAUSE OF A SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL THAT REALLY WASN'T, THEY PAINTED THE STAIRS AND THE ENTRANCE DOOR.
THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO MY PLACE.
[00:55:01]
OUT.MY NAME IS DIANA AND I'M A RENTER OF COUNCIL DISTRICT THREE.
I'M HERE TO CALL IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TO STRENGTHEN THE JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE BY REMOVING SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL AS A REASON FOR EVICTION, SETTING A REASONABLE NON-PAYMENT THRESHOLD, MAKING JUST COST PROTECTIONS UNIVERSAL AND MATCHING RELOCATION ASSURANCE TO LA COUNTY STANDARDS.
THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND GAPS IN RENTER PROTECTIONS IN LONG BEACH HAS FORCED ME TO MOVE OUT OF MY HOME EVERY FEW YEARS DUE TO CONSISTENTLY RISING RENT COSTS AND ABUSIVE LANDLORDS, MY EXPERIENCE IS NOT UNIQUE.
NEARLY 60% OF LONG BEACH POPULATION CONSISTS OF RENTERS, MANY OF WHOM FEAR LOSING THEIR HOMES FROM RISING RENTS, EVICTIONS AND WAGES THAT FAIL TO KEEP UP WITH RISING HOUSE COSTS.
LONG BEACH JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE ONLY MEETS THE MINIMUM OF THE CALIFORNIA TENANT PROTECTION ACT, WHICH IS SET TO EXPIRE IN 2030.
PLEASE STRENGTHEN JUST CAUSE AND CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES.
GOOD AFTERNOON HOUSING COMMITTEE.
I'M A GRADUATE STUDENT INTERN WITH LONG BEACH FORWARD.
AND AS YOU KNOW, 60% OF THE LONG BEACH RESIDENTS ARE RENTERS AND MANY ARE STRUGGLING WITH RISING RENTS, INFLATION AND WAGES THAT ARE NOT KEPT AT PACE WITH THE COST OF LIVING.
WITH GROWING FEDERAL CUTS TO HOUSING AND SOCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS, STRONG LOCAL TENANT PROTECTIONS ARE THE MOST, ARE AT MOST IMPORTANT, UH, THAN EVER.
UH, WE ARE CALLING FOR THE CITY TO, UH, MAKE JUST COST PROTECTIONS UNIVERSAL BY APPLYING THEM TO ALL RENTERS REGARDLESS OF THE UNIT TYPE LANDLORD, UH, LENGTH OF TENANCY, WHILE ALSO CLOSING THE LOOPHOLE THAT ALLOW FOR BAD FAITH.
EVICTIONS, EVERY RESIDENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO STABILITY AND DIGNITY.
CLOSING POLICY GAPS IS ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT FURTHER DISPLACEMENT AND KEEP FAMILIES HOUSED.
I URGE THE CITY TO STRENGTHEN TENANT PROTECTIONS JUST LIKE, JUST CAUSE AND KEEP LONG WAGE FAMILIES HOUSED.
GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS REVEREND MARY JUNG.
I AM AN ORDAINED PASTOR WITH THE AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES.
ALSO, I'M SERVING AS THE LABOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT CLU CLERGY AND LAITY UNITED FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE.
I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO STRENGTHEN THE LONG BEACH CAUSE ORDINANCE TO KEEP OUR FAMILIES HOMES HOUSED AND PREVENT FURTHER HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY.
ESPECIALLY I'M ASKING YOU TO REMOVE SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL AS A REASON FOR EVICTION.
MANY CONGREGATIONS HAVE FOOD BANKS AND SHOWER PROGRAMS TO SERVE THE UNHOUSED AND THOSE IN NEED AND THESE SERVICES ARE CRUCIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY SURVIVAL.
HOWEVER, WE KNOW THAT THESE ARE JUST BANDAIDS TO OUR DEEPER PROBLEM.
THE LACK OF STABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THE LACK OF STRONG RENTAL PROTECTIONS HOME IS SACRED, YET IT IS USED AT A COMMODITY TO MAXIMIZE PROFIT RIGHT NOW.
AND STRENGTHENING THE JUST COST ORDINANCE WILL HELP CHILDREN HAVE A STABLE HOME TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITY FROM DISPLACEMENT.
SO I ASK YOU TO PROVIDE STRONGER RENTER PROTECTION.
YOUR TIME HAS CONCLUDED SO THAT I YOU CAN CREATE MORE EQUITABLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LANDLORDS AND RENTERS.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO.
I WORK AS A LECTURER AT CAL STATE LONG BEACH AND I'M ALSO A LAY LEADER AT ST.
I'M HERE AS A PERSON OF FAITH AND AS SOMEONE WHO LIVES, WORKS AND WORSHIPS IN LONG BEACH TO ASK THE CITY THAT I LOVE TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES AND ENSURE HOUSING STABILITY FOR ITS RESIDENTS BY STRENGTHENING THE JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE AT BOTH CAL STATE LONG BEACH AND ST.
I'M SEEING FIRSTHAND THE IMPACTS THAT HOUSING INSECURITY HAS ON OUR CITY.
OUR STUDENTS SIMPLY CAN'T SUCCEED WHEN THEY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HOUSING ALONGSIDE THEIR CLASSES.
UM, THEY'RE EXPERIENCING SEVERE HOUSING INSTABILITY.
LUKE'S, WE'VE BEEN INVESTED IN HOUSING JUSTICE FOR DECADES.
WE'RE PROVIDING MEALS, SHOWERS, CLOTHING, AND OTHER SERVICES FOR ABOUT 125 OF OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS A WEEK.
WE'VE CONSISTENTLY SHOWN UP WITH RADICAL INCLUSION AND WE'RE ASKING THAT OUR CITY NOW DO THE SAME.
PLEASE STRENGTHEN THE JUST CAUSE ORDINANCE BY REMOVING SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL AS A REASON FOR EVICTION.
I'M HERE AS A MEMBER OF THE LONG BEACH TENANTS UNION AND EVERYTHING IN THIS PRESENTATION CONFIRMS WHAT WE'VE ALREADY TOLD YOU.
AT LEAST 219 TENANTS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED SINCE 2023, WHICH WE ALL KNOW IS A SEVERE UNDER COUNT, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE MANY LANDLORDS USE EXPRESS PERMITS FOR THEIR CONSTRUCTION, WHICH DON'T EVEN REQUIRE DISCLOSURE THAT A TENANT IS BEING DISPLACED DUE TO THE WORK.
AND AS I'VE TOLD YOU BEFORE, FAILURE TO ABOLISH SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL EVICTIONS IS ACTUALLY IN VIOLATION OF THE CITY'S HOUSING ELEMENT, WHICH STATES YOU WILL REMOVE SUBSTANTIAL REMODELS FROM THE LIST OF NO FAULT JUST CAUSE EVICTIONS BY 2022.
IT'S NOW 2026 TODAY, THE LONG BEACH TENANTS UNION HAS FILED A 60 PAGE COMPLAINT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENTING THE CITY'S VIOLATIONS AND REQUESTING THAT THEY DECERTIFY THE CITY'S HOUSING ELEMENT UNTIL YOU COMPLY AND ABOLISH SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL EVICTIONS.
[01:00:01]
THAT TO YOU ALL AND TO YOU CHRIS, ENJOY READING.WE HOPE YOU'LL COMPLY BEFOREHAND AND CONSIDER THE WEALTH OF INFORMATION TO ABOLISH SUBSTANTIAL REMODELS IMMEDIATELY.
YOU CAN START BY SENDING A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNSEL TODAY.
HELLO, MY NAME IS CIELO WITH THE LONG BEACH TENANTS UNION.
I WANT TO SHIFT THE NARRATIVE AWAY FROM THERE BEING A HOUSING ISSUE TO THE REALITY THAT THERE IS A TENANT PROTECTION ISSUE THAT IS BEING IGNORED.
IN PRACTICE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS DETERMINED BY THE DEVELOPERS.
THEY DETERMINE THE PERCENT SET ASIDE AND THE AFFORDABLE AFFORDABILITY LEVEL THAT DOES NOT ALWAYS REPLACE THE INCOME LEVEL OF LONG-TERM RESIDENTS BEING DISPLACED FROM THEIR EXISTING NATURAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THE CITY MUST PLACE STRONGER TE TENANT PROTECTION.
THE HOUSING ELEMENT, UH, PROPOSED THE REMOVAL OF SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL LOOPHOLE, WHICH THE CITY HAS TAKEN NO ACTION ON.
CURRENTLY, THE RENT CAP IN LONG BEACH IS AT A TOTAL OF 8% INCREASE BASED ON THE INACTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
RENT HAS RAISED, EX UH, HAS RAISED IN, UM, EXPEDITIOUSLY.
THE COMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR A LOCAL ORDINANCE OF 1% OF A 1% FORMULA FOR ALLOWING RENT INCREASE.
UM, ALSO STRICT REQUIREMENTS AS CREDIT SCORE, UH, MINIMUM CREDIT SCORES, CRIMINAL RECORDS AND INCOME MULTIPLIERS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT FOLKS OF COLOR.
YOUNG OR LOWER INCOME RENTERS, UM, PAST EVICTIONS OFTEN RE REFLECTS A TEMPORARY FINANCIAL CRISIS, UH, RATHER THAN A PERMANENT INABILITY TO PAY RENT.
YOUR TIME IS CONCLUDED OF UNFAIR.
UH, THIS PAY STRONGER TENANT PROTECTION.
BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKER, I'D LIKE TO CALL IT THE NEXT 10 SPEAKERS.
SO WE NEED NUMBERS 31 THROUGH 40, SO WE NEED 28, 29, 30 THROUGH 40 AT THE DICE OR PODIUM.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER, YOU CAN BEGIN.
HELLO COMMUNITY AND COM AND COMMITTEE.
MY NAME IS MARIA, DISTRICT ONE RESIDENT FOR 30 YEARS, A LOCAL SOCCER COACH FOR KIDS AND FEMMES AND MOST PROUDLY AUTONOMOUS TENANT ORGANIZER WITH THE LONG BEACH TENANTS UNION.
I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THAT THE ONLY THING THAT KEEPS TENANTS HOUSED IS STRONG PERMANENT TENANT PROTECTIONS.
AND AT ANY TIME YOU AS LEADERS OF THIS COMMITTEE HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS SO THAT THOSE PROTECTIONS CAN GO TO COUNCIL.
AND EVEN AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU HAVE THE POWER TO PASS A MORATORIUM THAT TRULY WILL KEEP VULNERABLE TENANTS HOUSED AS YOU FIND SOLUTIONS.
I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN MY HOME FOR 29 YEARS SINCE I WAS IN KINDERGARTEN.
I WENT TO KINDERGARTEN WITH SOME OF MY NEIGHBORS.
AS OF FEBRUARY 28TH, I AM FIGHTING MY FIFTH EVICTION SINCE MY HOME GOT SOLD IN AUGUST, 2023.
I'M HITTING THREE YEARS ON RESISTING DISPLACEMENT AND GENTRIFICATION.
THIS IS NOT WHAT OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVED.
I WANT TO CLOSE OFF BY SAYING THAT WHEN TENANTS RISE, CITIES THRIVE.
I WANT TO THRIVE PA A RECOMMENDATION FOR A MORATORIUM TODAY.
I'M WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HERE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH THAT RENT, RENT PROPERTY.
FORGIVE ME FOR, I'M 65 YEARS OLD SO I'M NOT AS QUICK AND ARTICULATE AS EVERYBODY ELSE AND I'M GONNA DO MY BEST TO TRY TO GET IT DONE IN THIS QUICK.
IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU RECOMMEND THAT THERE IS SUPPORT FOR TENANTS AND THIS SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL ISSUE THAT'S COME TO PLAY.
UH, WHAT WE HAVE A MOTION HERE AND WE HAVE A LOT OF GREED HERE AND THERE ARE ISSUES WITH INSURANCE.
WELL, THEY CAN TAKE IT UP WITH THE INSURANCE, NOT PUT IT ON THE WEIGHT OF THE TENANTS.
THESE BURDENS THAT THEY SO SUPPOSEDLY HAVE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW.
THEY WENT TO LOCAL LONG BEACH COMMUNITY, UH, UH, TO CITY.
ONE SERVES IN THE MILITARY, NOW FLIES PLANES FOR THE MARINE CORPS RIGHT NOW AND IS DEFENDING THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.
I'M HERE WITH LONG BEACH TENANTS UNION AND I'M A WINTER IN LONG BEACH.
ONE OF THE EARLIER LANDLORD SPEAKERS SAID THAT STRICTER JUST CAUSE POLICIES SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN CITIES WITH RENT CONTROL AND THE RIGHT.
THAT'S WHY RENT CONTROL IN LONG BEACH IS NECESSARY TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY HOUSED.
THE STATE RENT CONTROL IS NOWHERE NEAR WHAT NEEDS TO BE TO PROPERLY PROTECT TENANTS, ESPECIALLY A CITY LIKE LONG BEACH.
THAT IS OVER 60% WINTERS WHEN CONTROL PREVENTS RAPID DISPLACEMENT, ALLOWING TENANTS TO REMAIN IN THE HOMES AND COMMUNITIES DESPITE THE MARKET DEMANDS.
WHEN CONTROL PROVIDES HOUSING STABILITY, STABILITY, AND REDUCES THE RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.
CITY COUNCIL HAS HAD COUNTLESS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CREATING NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS, BUT YOU ALL ARE NOT LISTENING TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAYING.
PEOPLE ALREADY LIVE IN AFFORDABLE UNITS BUT ARE THREATENED TO BE DISPLACED FROM THOSE AFFORDABLE UNITS BECAUSE OF EVICTION THREATS LIKE SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL AND RISING
[01:05:01]
ON PRICES THAT COULD BE PREVENTED BY RENT CONTROL.THERE NEEDS TO BE A MINDSET SHIFT IN THE CITY COUNCIL.
HOW DO WE PRESERVE THE CURRENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS PEOPLE LIVE IN? HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT PEOPLE THAT HAVE LIVED IN UNITS FOR 5, 10, 15 PLUS YEARS CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THOSE UNITS FOR MORE YEARS TO COME? HAVING A STRICTER RENT CONTROL AND REMOVING THE SUBSTANTIAL MODEL LOOPHOLE.
MY NAME IS RYAN BELL AND UM, I'M A, UH, ORGANIZER, REGIONAL ORGANIZER WITH TENANTS TOGETHER, A STATEWIDE, UH, TENANT ORGANIZATION, UH, OF WHICH, UM, SEVERAL OF THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS HERE ARE MEMBERS TODAY.
AND I'M HERE TO STAND WITH THE COMMUNITY IN, UM, DEMANDING THAT YOU IMPROVE THE JUST CAUSE, UM, ORDINANCE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH BY REMOVING THE SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL AS A REASON FOR EVICTION AND MAKING JUST CAUSE PROTECTIONS UNIVERSAL.
THE THING I WANT TO EMPHASIZE IN MY COMMENTS IS THAT FOR TENANTS, AS YOU'VE HEARD TODAY, THAT HAVE BEEN LIVING IN THEIR UNITS FOR DECADES, SOMETIMES THEY'VE ALREADY PAID HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN RENT, BUT THEIR UNITS HAVE BEEN FALLING APART AROUND THEM.
AND WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR REMODELING AFTER THEY'VE LIVED THERE FOR 20, 30 YEARS, THEY HAVE TO BE EVICTED.
SO SOMEONE ELSE CAN ENJOY THOSE AMENITIES, WHICH THEY'VE BEEN PAYING FOR, FOR 20, 30 YEARS.
WHY SHOULD A TENANT HAVE TO MOVE FOR, UM, REMODELING WHEN THEY'VE THE BEEN THE ONES PAYING FOR IT FOR THE LAST DECADES? THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
MY NAME IS DANIEL CARPENTER GOLD.
I'M A RENTER IN DISTRICT THREE, AND I'M HERE TO STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU ELIMINATE THE SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL LOOPHOLE IN LONG BEACH CITY COAT FOR THE REASONS THAT THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE BEFORE ME HAVE ALREADY GIVEN.
AND SO I'LL JUST EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS REALLY ABOUT STABILITY.
YOU KNOW, I'M A RENTER, LIKE I SAID, A LOT OF FOLKS HERE ARE RENTERS.
60% OF THE CITY IS RENTERS, AND EVERY PERSON WHO'S A RENTER, AS LONG AS THIS SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL LOOPHOLE REMAINS IN THE CODE, IS AT THE EDGE OF BEING EVICTED BECAUSE ALL IT TAKES IS FOR A LANDLORD TO DECLARE THAT.
AND YES, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO GET THE PERMITS AND FILE SOME PAPERWORK, BUT IT'S VERY EASY FOR ANY OF US TO LOSE OUR HOMES AT ANY TIME.
AND THAT'S, UH, SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR ME, AND I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE FOR MY NEIGHBORS AS WELL.
SO I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO ELIMINATE THE LOOPHOLE FROM THE COAT.
AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
MY NAME IS BILL SHELTON AND I AM A SMALL HOUSING PROVIDER IN LONG BEACH.
AND I CAN ONLY ENCOURAGE THIS THAT YOU'VE STRIVED TO FIND SOME REASONABLE SOLUTIONS TO WHAT IT IS APPARENTLY A PROBLEM.
I HAVE HAD NOT HAD A LOT OF FAMILIARITY WITH THIS, BUT THERE'S NO TREAT EVICTING TENANTS.
THERE'S NO TREAT IN DOING EXPENSIVE REMODELS.
BUT REASONABLE SOLUTIONS SHOULD BE THERE, UH, FOR BOTH SIDES.
LONGER NOTICE FOR THE TENANTS, UH, EXPLANATION OF THE BENEFITS OF OF OF FINISHED, FINISHED UNIT.
HI, MY NAME IS JULIE MARKARIAN WITH THE APARTMENT OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA.
WE REPRESENT OVER 20,000 HOUSING PROVIDERS, 1482.
AB 1482 ALREADY HAS PLENTY OF PROTECTIONS AND THE CITY ALREADY HAS EVEN STRICTER PROTECTIONS ALREADY BY YOUR NUMBERS AND YOUR ESTIMATES.
YOU ESTIMATE THAT THERE'S APPROXIMATELY 200 PERMITS THAT ARE REQUESTED, AND THAT'S LESS THAN 1% OF THE HOUSING THAT IS PROVIDED AS RENTALS ON THE MARKET RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S LESS THAN 1%, AND YOU ARE GOING TO PUNISH HOUSING PROVIDERS WHEN ONLY LESS THAN 1% ARE REQUESTING THESE MAJOR RENOVATIONS.
ALSO, IF YOU GUYS WANNA DO SOMETHING HELPFUL FOR TENANTS, WE SUGGEST THAT YOU, INSTEAD OF PAYING FOR ATTORNEY'S FEES, YOU HELP TENANTS WITH THEIR RENT BECAUSE THEN IT PROVIDES A WIN-WIN.
YOUR TIME IS CONCLUDED FOR BOTH.
MOM AND I HAVE A COUPLE PROPERTIES IN LONG BEACH.
WE CARE FOR OUR TENANTS AND WE THINK THAT WE NEED STRONG TENANT PROTECTION AND LANDLORD PROTECTIONS.
UH, IF YOU HAVE A BAD TENANT, WHICH I'VE HAD, WE'VE HAD MANY TIMES, SAY THEY'RE NOT PAYING THE RENT BECAUSE THERE'S A CRACKED WINDOW, OR THEY'RE CLAIMING BLACK MOLD, WHICH ISN'T TRUE OR COVID, I, AND, AND WE CAN'T COLLECT RENT.
WHAT IF THEY'RE A DRUG DEALER? WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE LIKE THAT.
SO IT COSTS US A LOT OF MONEY TO GET PEOPLE TO MOVE OUT AND, UH, IT'S NOT FAIR.
[01:10:01]
UP SELLING OUR PROPERTIES, NOT JUST ME, BUT WE'VE SOLD A COUPLE OF PROPERTIES IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.AND WHO'S BUYING THEM? BIG CORPORATIONS ARE BUYING THEM.
THEY DON'T GIVE A CRAP ABOUT TENANTS.
WE REALLY CARE ABOUT OUR TENANTS, AND WE WANNA KEEP THEM IN THEIR PLACES AT REASONABLE PRICES.
SMALL MOM, POP LANDLORDS LIKE US, KEEP TENANTS IN THEIR PLACES.
NEXT SPEAKER, CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, UH, CITY STAFF.
MY WIFE IS GONNA READ MY COMMENTS.
LONG BEACH IS FACING MULTIPLE HOUSING CHALLENGES.
YOU KNOW, SET TENANTS NEED AFFORDABILITY AND STABILITY, AND AS PROPERTY OWNERS NEED TO PROVIDE SAFE, UPDATED, AND WELL MAINTAINED HOUSING, WHAT WORRIES ME IS THAT SOME OF THE PROPOSALS BEING DISCUSSED TODAY MOVE US TOWARD A SYSTEM WHERE REHABILITATION BECOMES LEGALLY IMPOSSIBLE.
AND WHEN THAT INVESTMENT BECOMES LESS FEASIBLE, THE LONG-TERM QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING SUFFERS.
I THINK WE SHOULD ALSO BE CAREFUL ABOUT BUILDING PUBLIC POLICY AROUND THE ASSUMPTION THAT EVERY HOUSING PROVIDER ACTING UNDER THE SUBURB MODEL LAW IS OPERATING IN BAD FAITH.
THE CITY ALREADY HAS, UH, PERMITTING STANDARDS AND ENFORCEMENT ME MECHANISMS DESIGNED TO DISTINGUISH LEGITIMATE REHABILITATION FROM ABUSE.
UH, ONE PRACTICAL STEP TO STRENGTHEN TENANT PROTECTIONS WOULD BE INVESTING MORE RESOURCES INTO CODE ENFORCEMENT.
UM, SO THAT LEGITIMATE HABIT ABILITIES, CONCERNS CAN BE ADDRESSED MORE QUICKLY AND CONSISTENTLY.
I AM A LIFELONG TENANT IN LONG BEACH AND A STUDENT AND WORKER.
MY FAMILY WAS REMOVED FROM OUR HOME WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL IN 2017 FOR SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL.
THEY HAD LIVED THERE SINCE THE EIGHTIES.
MY FAMILY THEN LIVED IN A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT WITH SIX PEOPLE AND CAN ONLY AFFORD THAT BECAUSE OUR LANDLORD CUTS US A DEAL.
I WORK MY GRANDMA'S ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND MY AUNT WORKS.
I HAVE SINCE BEEN DISPLACED TWICE AS AN ADULT.
THEY KICK US OUT TO DOUBLE THE RENTS AND WE CAN NEVER RETURN TO OUR HOMES.
I KNOW PEOPLE WHO WORK, WHO CHOOSE BETWEEN GAS AND LUNCH ON A REGULAR BASIS.
WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WE MOVE ON CREDIT.
WE ARE BEING PUSHED OUT OF THE CITY.
WE BUILT, WE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE BROUGHT THE ART, THE MUSIC, THE FOOD, THE LOVE, AND THE LABOR THAT MAKES LONG BEACH.
AND WE ARE THE EXTREMELY PRIVILEGED BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE WHO CAN'T EVEN WORRY ABOUT MOVING.
SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL WILL MAKE THEM HOMELESS.
WE'RE ASKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN AND HELP US LIVE.
WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR MUCH JUST A CHANCE TO SURVIVE.
ALL WE'RE ASKING IS THAT YOU PLEASE CALL THE LOOPHOLE.
UH, BEFORE THE NEXT SPEAKER, CAN ALL THE REMAINING SPEAKERS PLEASE LINE UP THE PODIUM, SPEAKERS 40 THROUGH 44.
THIS PROPOSED CHANGE, AGAIN, IS AN ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE TO DESTROY SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR CITY, IN THIS CASE, THE EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS.
IF HOUSING IS AN ISSUE, THEN THE CITY SHOULD CONSIDER DEVELOPING HOUSING OPTIONS RATHER THAN WASTING TIME IN OUR TAX DOLLARS ON UNNECESSARY PROJECTS SUCH AS THE CIVIC CENTER THAT WE'RE SITTING IN RIGHT NOW OR STANDING ON.
I DO AGREE THAT THERE MUST BE RULES FOR ALL TO FOLLOW AND UNDERSTAND IN ORDER TO WORK TOGETHER, RATHER THAN CONTINUOUSLY CREATE AN ADVERSARIAL APPROACH SUCH AS THIS PROPOSED CLOSURE OF A LOOPHOLE THAT DOES NOT EXIST FOR A POLITICAL GAIN BY ELECTED OFFICIALS AT THE DETRIMENT OF TENANTS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS.
REMEMBER THE LAST TIME THE CITY ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE A LOOPHOLE, IT INCREASED THE LONGSTANDING TWO TERMS ONLY TO THREE TERMS. THANK YOU.
AND THIS WILL BE OUR LAST SPEAKER IF, UNLESS THE LAST THREE PEOPLE WANNA SIGN UP.
I'M HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE EXPANSION OF THE JUST CAUSE EVICTION PROTECTIONS.
I'M A RECENT GRAD OF C-S-U-O-B, BUT LIKE MANY FOLKS IN LONG BEACH HOUSING INS INSTABILITY ISN'T SOMETHING I LEARNED ABOUT IN A CLASSROOM.
IT'S SOMETHING MY FAMILY LIVED THROUGH.
AS MUCH AS I'D LOVE TO BELIEVE THAT CURRENT STANDARDS ARE ENOUGH, THEY AREN'T.
THE LOOPHOLES ARE BEING FOUND IN LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
UM, TOO MANY FOLKS LIVE WITH THE FEAR THAT ONE DISAGREEMENT WITH A LANDLORD, ONE EXPECTED EXPENSE OR TALKING, TAKING ONE SICK DAY FROM WORK COULD LEAD TO THEIR FAMILIES NO LONGER HAVING A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.
THAT FEAR FOLLOWS PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHICH IS WHY ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS ARE NEEDED.
SO MADAM CLERK, WE, UH, ALL, ANYONE WHO'S CARRYING A PINK CARD AT THIS TIME, IF YOU STILL HAVE A PINK CARD, PLEASE COME FORWARD FOR THE MIC.
OTHERWISE, WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.
ANYONE WHO STILL HAS A PINK CARD REMAINING, PLEASE COME TO THE MIC.
[01:15:01]
BORN AND RAISED IN LONG BEACH IN 1957.I ALSO HAVE A LOT OF SECTION EIGHT TENANTS.
THE CITY NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THEIR PART.
THEY DON'T, WHEN THERE'S CONFUSION WITH THE INSPECTION DEPARTMENT AND GETTING THINGS PASSED SO YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT STEP.
ONE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE OTHER DEPARTMENT IS DOING, SO THAT DELAYS THE WHOLE PROCESS OF RENOVATING.
AND THERE IS A PROCESS IN ALL OF THAT.
AND THESE INSURANCE COMPANIES, NOW, THEY'RE ASKING LAND LANDLORDS HOW MANY, UH, HOW YOU SAY ASSISTED LIVING TENANTS DO YOU HAVE? AND WHEN THAT COME, THAT MEANS THEY'RE CHARGING YOU MORE.
SO THERE IS A REPERCUSSION IN ALL OF THAT, BUT THE CITY NEEDS TO FIND A WAY.
TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR TIME IS CONCLUDED.
SO I, UH, YOUR PINK CARDS, SIR.
AND THEN I SEE ONE ADDITIONAL PINK CARD THAT'S OUT.
CAN YOU HAND IT TO THE CLERK? THANK YOU.
HI, HOW ARE YOU? OH, I, I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS CAN ANSWER.
SO, UH, SHE, SHE'S GOING TO TALK ON MY BEHALF.
UM, WE'VE HEARD MANY THINGS REGARDING, UH, WHAT THE LANDLORDS ARE FACING REGARDING THEIR BUSINESSES.
UH, WE DENOUNCE THE TERM OF HOUSING PROVIDERS UNTIL OUR HABITABILITY AND OUR CONSIDERATION AS WORKERS WHO PROVIDE FOR THESE SET, UH, MORTGAGES ARE CONSIDERED.
WE ALSO, UM, REPEAT WHAT COMMUNITY HAS, UM, ELEVATED IN THE, IN REGARDS TO RENT STABILIZATION AT 1% STRONGER PERMANENT TENANT PROTECTIONS MAKING JUST CAUSE UNIVERSAL, UM, NO EXCLUSIONS FROM CONDOS AND OTHER FORMS OF HOUSING.
WE ALSO UPLIFT THE FACT THAT YOU ALL AT THIS VERY MOMENT CAN MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL TO CHANGE THESE THINGS.
UH, REMOVING SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL CONTINUES TO BE A DANGEROUS LOOPHOLE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, I WANNA THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT TODAY AND SHARING ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS.
UM, AS YOU KNOW, TODAY'S MEETING WAS REALLY SET UP AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM COMMUNITY, UH, AND COMMUNITY BROADLY DEFINED.
THOSE WHO ARE RENTERS AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE LOCAL HOUSING PROVIDERS.
THIS KIND OF FORUM OUTSIDE OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING GIVES US THE CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE MORE TIME TO BE ABLE TO HEAR EACH ISSUE, UM, EVEN MORE, UH, DIRECTLY AND, UH, IN GREATER DEPTH.
WE WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO WASN'T ABLE TO BRING A COMMENT TODAY, OR WHOSE COMMENTS FEEL LIKE THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ADDITIONAL DEPTH TO PLEASE SHARE THOSE, UM, VIA LETTERS IN PUBLIC COMMENT SO THAT WE HAVE THAT INFORMATION AND CAN USE THAT GOING FORWARD.
UM, AGAIN, THANK YOU TO THE STAFF AS WELL FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
UH, REGARDING ALL THE WORK THAT THE CITY HAS DONE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, UM, ON THIS MATTER, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF TOPICS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP TODAY, UM, THAT I KNOW I'LL BE TAKING UNDER ADVISEMENT AND CONSIDERATION, UH, REGARDING HOW OUR POLICIES ARE APPLIED AND WHAT ITS IMPACTS ARE ON OUR RESIDENTS, IN PARTICULAR TENANTS, UM, AS WELL AS CONSIDERING, UH, WHAT SMALL LANDLORDS MIGHT BE FACING AS WELL, UM, IN TERMS OF HELPING THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WHAT NEXT STEPS MIGHT BE.
UM, DIRECTOR KUNTZ AT THIS TIME, UH, YOU KNOW, WE ARE A COMMITTEE, UM, AND AS A COMMITTEE, UH, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.
UM, BUT OUR NEXT STEPS WOULD BE TO BRING FORTH, UH, A MOTION TO COUNCIL IF THERE WAS DIRECTION THAT WE'D LIKE TO GIVE TO THE DEPARTMENT REGARDING THIS MATTER.
SO YOU HAVE SORT OF TWO PROCEDURAL OPTIONS.
ONE WOULD BE TO, UM, UH, DO A COUNCIL MOTION.
UM, YOU COULD AUTHOR AND ASSUMING YOU HAVE A, A CO-AUTHOR, YOU KNOW, IT'S AGENDIZED, UH, THROUGH THE REGULAR PROCESS.
I THINK THAT'S THE MOST COMMON AND EXPEDIENT, UM, WAY OF MAKING A POLICY CHANGE.
UM, UH, THE COMMITTEE ALSO HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A REPORT FROM THIS COMMITTEE SENT TO THE FULL COUNCIL.
UM, I DON'T RECOMMEND THAT ROUTE, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER PROCEDURAL OPTION AVAILABLE TO YOU.
WHAT THAT DOES IS IT TRIGGERS AN AGENDA AT COUNCIL, BUT THAT'S AN AGENDA ITEM TO HEAR A REPORT, NOT TO TAKE ANY PARTICULAR ACTION.
THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE TRIED TO DO WITH TODAY'S MEETING WAS TO ENSURE THAT AS MANY COUNCIL OFFICES THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED MIGHT HAVE A
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CHANCE TO MAYBE WATCH, UH, TODAY'S, UH, HEARING AND A COMMITTEE MEETING, GIVING SOME INSIGHT INTO WHAT THE PUBLIC, UM, IS, UH, EXPERIENCING AND SHARING HERE WITHIN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.UH, I'LL HAND IT OVER TO MY VICE CHAIR, UH, VICE CHAIR, RICK OTI.
YOU HAVE COMMENTS? UH, JUST A FEW.
I THINK YOU SUMMARIZED IT WELL.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, UH, THRESH TOOK, AND I WANNA THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT AND SPEAKING.
THERE WERE THINGS, AS THE COUNCILWOMAN SAID THAT AS THE CHAIR SAID, THAT I LEARNED AS WELL.
UM, A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WANTED TO UPLIFT THAT I'D HEARD FROM, UM, TENANTS AS WELL AS SOME OF OUR HOUSING PROVIDERS, UH, AND LANDLORDS, UH, RELATED TO THIS ISSUE THAT I, I I THINK WERE IMPORTANT, UH, FOR MY OWN PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE IS, YOU KNOW, UH, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF FOLKS BROUGHT UP THE ISSUES AROUND THE HOUSING ELEMENT, RIGHT? SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WOULD PERSONALLY BE INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE ABOUT, UM, HOW, UM, OUR JUST CAUSE, UM, ORDINANCE, RIGHT? HOW THAT INTERFACES WITH OUR HOUSING ELEMENT.
UM, I HEARD YOU WHEN SOMEONE BROUGHT UP A SPECIFICALLY SECTION, I THINK LIKE 5.2.
SO TRUST ME, WE WERE LISTENING TO YOU WHEN YOU ALL WERE GIVING YOUR, YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
UM, ANOTHER, UH, COMMENTER BROUGHT UP THE EXPRESS PERMITS, RIGHT? AND THE DISCLOSURES FOR TENANTS AROUND THE EXPRESS PERMITS.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WOULD PERSONALLY BE INTERESTED IN HEARING ABOUT AS WELL.
'CAUSE AGAIN, I THINK ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS COMMITTEE AND THIS TOPIC, RIGHT, IS FOR US TO UPLIFT THINGS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING THE CLARITY AND HONESTY AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY'S ON THE SAME PAGE RELATED TO THESE ISSUES, RIGHT? BUT I ALSO HEARD FROM OUR, OUR, OUR, MANY OF OUR HOUSING PROVIDERS, RIGHT? THAT, YOU KNOW, CONCERNS AROUND OUR HOUSING STOCK, RIGHT? WE ALL TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT OUR HOUSING STOCK HERE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, RIGHT? IS OLDER, RIGHT? AND SO NOW WE ARE TRIGGERING THE NEED, WHETHER IT'S CODE ENFORCEMENT JUST NEEDS FOR UPGRADES, RIGHT? AND SAFETY ISSUES FOR SOME, DOING SOME TYPE, SOME TYPES OF THESE TYPES OF REMODELS, RIGHT? SO WE DON'T DO IS WHAT ONE, UM, COMMENTER SAID, WHICH IS TO CREATE AN ORDINANCE WHERE WE PREVENT THOSE TYPES OF THINGS THAT ACTUALLY NEED TO BE DONE, RIGHT? UM, AND I HEARD, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL PEOPLE TALK ABOUT LIKE, LOOK, WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY AGAINST THE IDEA OF SOLUTIONS, RIGHT? SO LET'S THINK ABOUT POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS, RIGHT? WHERE WE CAN BRING BOTH PARTIES TO THE TABLE, RIGHT? AND THINK ABOUT, OKAY, WELL MAYBE THERE'S A, THERE'S A MIDDLE ROAD HERE.
MAYBE THERE ARE SOME OTHER OPTIONS.
I THINK CITY STAFF BROUGHT UP SOME OF THOSE POTENTIAL ONES AS WE WERE DOING COMPARATORS ACROSS THE REGION.
UM, AND SO AGAIN, I WOULD, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD LOVE CHAIR FOR US TO EXPLORE AS A COMMITTEE IS TO, TO, TO, UH, DIVE A LITTLE BIT DEEPER INTO SOME OF THESE ISSUES, RIGHT? AND SEE IF POTENTIAL WE CAN COME UP WITH SOME REASONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
UM, I PICKED UP ON THE EXACT SAME ONES, UM, AND REALLY APPRECIATED THE, UH, COMMENTS AROUND WHAT IS NEEDED FOR, UH, SMALLER LANDLORDS IN PARTICULAR IN ORDER TO MAKE THOSE, UH, IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE DONE SO THAT TENANTS CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY THEIR SPACES.
SO WE MAY THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE EXPLORE USING SOME OF OUR LA CASA FUNDS AND ADDITIONAL, UH, RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT A STRATEGY THAT GETS THOSE REHAB ACTIVITIES DONE WITHOUT DISPLACING TENANTS, UH, IN THE, IN THE PROCESS.
SO AT THIS TIME, UH, WE HAVE PRETTY MUCH DONE OUR BUSINESS FOR TODAY.
UM, I THINK THAT THERE'S PROBABLY A COMBINATION OF THINGS THAT THE COUNCILWOMAN AND I WILL TAKE A LOOK AT AND CONSIDER.
UM, THAT INCLUDES, UM, ADDITIONAL WORK THAT THIS COMMITTEE WILL PROBABLY REQUEST IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL DETAILS, BUT ALSO, UM, GETTING TO A POINT WHERE WE ARE MOVING THIS TO, UM, OUR OTHER COLLEAGUES AND SHARING WITH THEM THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE AND PLACING A MOTION ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA.
SO, MADAM CLERK, I THINK WE ARE, DO WE NEED TO TAKE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM? ARE WE'VE TAKEN A MOTION NOW? WE NEED TO TAKE A VOTE.
UM, THAT'LL MOVE US TO THE END OF OUR AGENDA.
IS THERE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? IF ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT SOMETHING NOT ON THE AGENDA, PLEASE LINE UP AT THE PODIUM NOW.
OH, ARE YOU COMING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, SIR? YES.
PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM.
ANYONE WHO HAS A GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT ON A NON-AG AGENDAS ITEM, PLEASE LINE UP
[PUBLIC COMMENT Opportunity to address the Housing and Public Health Committee on non-agenda items. Each speaker is limited to three minutes to make their comments unless extended by the Chair.]
DR.GERALD HIGGINBOTHAM WITH UNITY FOR BETTER COMMUNITY AND THE CAPTAIN'S MILLIONAIRE.
I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR THE DISCUSSION.
AS SOMEONE WORKING DIRECTLY IN NORTH LONG BEACH THROUGH, UH, UNITY FOR BETTER COMMUNITY, I APPRECIATE HEARING THE CONVERSATION AROUND STABILIZATION, OUTREACH, AND LONG-TERM COMMUNITY IMPACT.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION AROUND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC LITERACY, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
I LOOK FORWARD TO MEET WITH BOTH OF YOU.
IN ADDITION TO WORKING FOR A OA, I'M ACTUALLY A LANDLORD HERE IN LONG BEACH AND I'M A SMALL LANDLORD AND I DON'T APPRECIATE YOU GUYS MAKING US LOOK EVIL.
WELL, I'M REPRESENTING LANDLORDS, SMALL MOM AND POP LANDLORD.
SOME, A BUSINESS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 30 YEARS.
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MOST OF THE TENANTS WERE SECTION EIGHT TENANTS, AND THEY HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME.BUT WHEN THE CITY DOES NOT ACCOMMODATE THESE TYPE OF RENOVATIONS BY NOT THE INSPECTION DEPARTMENT, EACH PART OF THE ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, WHATEVER THEY DO NOT COM COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER.
WHEN YOU HAVE TO DO AN INSPECTION CARD AND NO ONE IS TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY, WHAT WOULD TAKE THREE MONTHS OR SIX MONTHS IS TAKING TRIPLE A YEAR AND A HALF OR TWO.
SO THE CITY NEEDS TO REALIZE THAT THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE DEPARTMENTS.
AND IF IT'S IN THE BUILDING AND PLANNING, THE ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, ALL OF THEM, THEM SUPERVISORS, THEY NEED TO, THE STAFF NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND TELL EACH ONE OF THEM WHAT HAVE THEY DONE.
IF THERE'S AN INSPECTION CARD, THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECORD OF THE INSPECTION CARD WHO SIGNED OFF ON IT.
SO A PROJECT THAT I BUILDING, TWO A DU UNITS AND MOST LIKELY FOUR OF THOSE SIX UNITS ARE SECTION EIGHT TENANTS.
AND I HAVE A RECORD OF 20 YEARS.
THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE PROCESS.
AND ALL THESE NEW EMPLOYEES COMING IN AND THE OLD ONES ARE RETIRING AND THEY'RE NOT LEAVING THE MESSAGES FOR THE NEW ONES, OR THEY'RE NOT TRAINED.
ONE SAYS, OH, THEY DIDN'T SAY THAT.
AND, AND IT'S ALL ON THAT ONE INSPECTOR TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION WHEN THE OTHER TWO BEFORE THEM HAD SAID SOMETHING ELSE.
HELLO, MY NAME IS R AS I SAID BEFORE, I AM REPRESENTING THOSE WHO LIVE IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, MANY OF WHOM DO NOT HAVE CAPACITY TO COME HERE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.
UM, WE ARE, UH, NOT AFFORDED EVEN THE BARE MINIMUM PROTECTIONS THAT ARE GIVEN BY THESE, JUST CAUSE THINGS BECAUSE MANY OF US ARE NEVER GIVEN A LEASE TO SIGN, UH, AT ONLY OUT OF THE PLACES THAT I'VE LIVED HERE, SIX OF THEM SO FAR, I'VE ONLY SIGNED A LEASE TWICE.
AND THEY, THE REST OF THE TIME, THEY, BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE A LEASE, YOU ARE NOT GIVEN, IS MUCH MORE OF A GRAY AREA ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE TO EVEN GIVE YOU THE 30 DAY NOTICE THAT THEY WOULD HA BE REQUIRED WITH TRADITIONAL TENANTS.
ALSO WITH TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.
THEY, IT IS TRADITIONALLY CONSIDERED BETWEEN 30 DAYS TO 24 MONTHS.
I KNOW PEOPLE IN MY CURRENT BUILDING THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR YEARS UP TO FIVE YEARS, ONE PERSON UP TO 14 YEARS.
AND THAT IS NOT TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ANYMORE.
AND BUT THE CONDITIONS THERE ARE THE SAME AS MEN.
WHAT MANY ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE, WHERE THIS, IT IS OLDER, IT NEEDS TO BE RENOVATED.
THE LANDLORD HAS, AS I'VE SEEN BEFORE AND OTHER TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROPERTIES, SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO RENOVATE EVEN WHEN THEY ARE MAKING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PROFIT EVERY MONTH OFF OF US.
AND THAT IS NOT FAIR TO THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE THERE OR THE FORMER ONES WHO HAVE BEEN KICKED OUT BECAUSE THEY MISSED ONE MONTH OF RENT.
UH, BECAUSE AS WE'VE SAID BEFORE, WE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE PAYING FOR THOSE RENOVATIONS.
IT IS, UH, UP TO YOU AS A CITY COUNCIL TO STAND UP FOR US WHEN THEY ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB, WHEN THEY'RE PROFITING AND NOT PUTTING THAT MONEY TOWARDS ACTUALLY KEEP IT, MAKING SURE THAT THE PROPERTIES THAT THEY ARE RENTING OUT ARE SAFE.
UH, SO I'M HERE NOT JUST ADVOCATING FOR STRONGER, JUST CAUSE PROTECTION, ALTHOUGH I VERY MUCH WANT THAT TO HAPPEN, BUT ALSO FOR SAFE HOUSING WITH RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, ESPECIALLY TO GAIN MORE PERMANENT HOUSING.
'CAUSE RIGHT NOW THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.
I WANNA TALK ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE.
CURRENTLY YOU HAVE ONE PERSON THAT, UH, MARY THAT WORKS WITH TENANTS WHO ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL.
UM, AND YOU HAVE HEARD COMMUNITY COME IN AND TALK ABOUT NOT ENOUGH INSPECTORS.
WE, AS A LONG BEACH TENANTS UNION HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A RENTAL HOUSING DIVISION FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.
THIS WOULD BE A DIVISION OF FOUR OR FIVE WORKERS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE SEEN INSIDE THE COURTROOMS IS THAT THE CITY, UH, MARY, UM, DOES NOT CARRY A LOT OF WEIGHT WITH HER BECAUSE OF LACK OF TRAINING, UM, IN REGARDS TO BEING EXPOSED TO A WORK SITE IN REGARDS TO, UM, HER LETTERS.
UM, UH, BECAUSE SHE, BECAUSE THERE IS NOT AN ENGINEER WITH HER.
UM, AND SO THE DIVISION WOULD HOPEFULLY ENCOURAGE YOU ALL THE CITY TO HIRE FOLKS WHO ARE IN THOSE AREAS IN CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING, ET CETERA.
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MORE SUPPORT TOWARDS MARY, IT IS REALLY UNJUST TO HAVE A, A CITY OF HALF A MILLION FOLKS WITH 60% OF THEM BEING, UH, RENTERS.UM, AND THEN CHRISTOPHER KUNZ IS, IS REALLY NOT ACCESSIBLE, BUT BECAUSE HE CARRIES OTHER HIGHER LEVEL, UM, RESPONSIBILITIES, RIGHT? AND SO REALLY TRYING TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF A RENTAL HOUSING DIVISION, WE ARE AGAIN, 60% RENTERS.
UM, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ATTORNEYS IN THE FIELD TO PREVENT DISPLACEMENT.
THAT'S WHY WE ARE LOOKING AT PRO SE WORK AS THE TENANT UNION.
WE GO TO COURTS, WE GO TO JURY TRIALS WITH FOLKS.
WE CARRY THEM FROM STEP ONE OF GET RECEIVING THE NOTICE TO STEP 100 OF EITHER GETTING A JURY TRIAL VERDICT OR FILING AN APPEAL.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE TWO APPEALS OPEN.
UM, AND THOSE WERE THE TENANTS OF THE PARADE RESISTANCE, WHO YOU SAW US COME IN AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN, AGAIN IN ABOUT TWO YEARS.
YOU HEARD OF FROM THEM, FROM THEIR BATTLE.
THEIR WHOLE BUILDING GOT WIPED OUT.
CURRENTLY, ONLY ONE TENANT REMAINS HOUSED WHO WON A UNANIMOUS JURY VERDICT.
BUT THE LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORT.
SO A RENTAL HOUSING DIVISION, I IMPLORE YOU TO EXPLORE THAT, UM, TO LOOK FOR MORE SUPPORT REGARDING, UH, UH, TENANTS RESOURCES.
I KNOW YOU PASSED THE RENTER AID PROGRAM AND THAT'S, UH, NICE FOR THE FOLKS WHO ARE GOING TO GET THAT HELP.
BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH AND THAT IS NOT INFRASTRUCTURE.
LASTLY, I WANT TO MENTION THAT THERE IS A CAMPAIGN FOR, UH, A TENANT BILL OF RIGHTS.
A TENANT BILL OF RIGHTS IS ABOUT NINE POLICIES WOVEN TOGETHER THAT WILL ULTIMATELY PRESERVE, UH, TENANTS IN THEIR HOMES.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CODE ENFORCEMENT AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CASH FOR KEYS.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ANTI TENANT HARASSMENT.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, UM, AIRBNB PROTECTIONS.
THAT IS WHAT WE HOPE TO HAVE ATTEND A BILL OF RIGHTS HERE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH.
PUBLIC COMMENT HAS BEEN CLOSED.
PUBLIC COMMENT HAS BEEN CLOSED.
AT THIS TIME WE'LL ADJOURN TODAY'S MEETING.