Securing Stability for San Diego’s Tenants
The First Installment from a Series of Activist Journalism from "All Rise," a New Community-Based Newspaper
By Asma Abdi
In a significant step forward, San Diego has enacted a comprehensive set of tenant protections, championed by City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, to address long standing housing issues. While progress has been made there’s more to be done to safeguard tenants' rights and ensure equitable housing access. The recent measures, including relocation assistance for no-fault evictions and increased transparency in landlord practices, mark a positive shift towards housing justice.
But as the community members and partner organizations that advocated for the new changes also acknowledge, there’s still plenty of work to be done. Ongoing advocacy and collaboration are essential to close loopholes, build on these achievements, and create lasting solutions for all renters in San Diego. Moving forward, they remain vigilant so that any new proposals serve to strengthen, rather than weaken, the existing safeguards in place for the city’s tenants.
Among the measures passed is the introduction of no-fault eviction relocation assistance. This provision acknowledges the financial strain on tenants forced to relocate through no fault of their own, ensuring they receive relocation assistance equal to two months' rent. Notably, elderly
and disabled tenants facing no-fault evictions are granted extended protection, with relocation assistance stretched to three months.
Safiyo Jama, a PANA community member, said the tenant protections are important because she can’t constantly uproot her life and start over. She’s been forced to move three times and fought back but faced increased pressure due to skyrocketing rents.
“We need to halt rent increases and prevent unjust evictions of tenants who are not at fault,” Jama said. “More policies are needed to protect our rights and provide stability for renters like me.”
Transparency takes center stage in the protections, which went into effect last year after a series of City Council votes. It followed complaints that corporations were gobbling up the housing supply and kicking out lower-income tenants to make improvements and jack up rent. Landlords must now provide tenants with written disclosure before presenting any buyout offer, empowering tenants to make informed decisions about their housing situations. The inclusion of this requirement stands as a defense against exploitative practices. The regulations outline specific conditions for buyout agreements, emphasizing fair negotiations and safeguarding tenants from coercive tactics. Additionally, tenants now have the right of return for no-fault evictions if their unit is placed back on the market within 5 years, providing a pathway for them to reclaim their previous homes.
City officials have also signaled their interest in creating an eviction notice registry, designed to enhance transparency and accountability in the eviction process. While this initiative holds promise, some have expressed frustration over the delay.
To keep tenants aware of any upcoming changes, the ordinance establishes clear guidelines to ensure they receive timely notifications about rent increases, lease terminations, and more. Provisions within the ordinance also explicitly prohibit landlords from retaliating against tenants for exercising their rights, acting as a deterrent against punitive actions.
With the recent local adoption of more robust protections outlined in SB 567, it's clear that maintaining consistency with state law is essential. One significant measure adopted is concerning owner-relative move-ins, where an owner must substantiate their relationship and reside in the unit within 3 months for at least 12 months. Failure to do so grants the tenant the right to return at the same rent and lease terms. Additionally, in the event of substantial remodeling, owners must provide a statement of intent and copies of their permits. If the unit is not demolished or substantially remodeled, the owner must offer the tenant an opportunity to re-rent with the same terms as before.
This underscores the importance of aligning local measures with broader legislative frameworks to ensure comprehensive and equitable tenant protections across our region. However, advocates stress that despite these gains, significant gaps remain in safeguarding all San Diegans in their homes. Notably, the city's tenant protections exclude homes built within the last 15 years or where the landlord permanently resides, as well as fixed-term leases of 3 months or less. Closing these loopholes is vital to ensure housing security for all residents.
To assist tenants in navigating their protections and staying informed, the San Diego Housing Commission has compiled a comprehensive guide available on their website. This resource serves as a practical tool for tenants to understand their rights, learn about the new regulations, and stay updated on the latest advancements in tenant protection measures.
Nevertheless, the recent passage of tenant protections in San Diego marks a pivotal moment in the city's dedication to fair and equitable housing. These successes, alongside ongoing initiatives such as the eviction notice registry, demonstrate the community’s commitment to supporting tenants and creating a transparent, fair, and dignified rental environment to prevent homelessness. As we celebrate these milestones, sustained oversight and advocacy will be vital to tackle emerging challenges and guarantee lasting protection for all renters in San Diego.
Asma Abdi is Policy Associate for the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA)
All Rise is a new San Diego-based project that envisions itself as “A Thorn in the Throat of Authority.” The Jumping-Off Place looks forward to partnering with them by posting selected articles for the near future.