Send a pre-written email to the City Council in support of the Berkeley Tenant Protection and Right to Organize Act!
With rents continuing to skyrocket and the Berkeley Property Owners Association (BPOA) preparing to spend thousands of dollars to erode rent control and tenant protections this November, voters deserve the chance to vote to defend and expand tenant protections.
The proposed ballot measure from Councilmember Lunaparra is a compromise based on the discussions at last month's 4x4 meeting between Chair Simon-Weisberg, Mayor Arreguin, and CMs Hahn and Tregub. It would give tenants in large buildings the right to form tenant associations and organize with their neighbors around lowering rents, fixing habitability issues, and more without fear of retaliation. It would give tenants at Harriet Tubman Terrace Just Cause protections and give the Rent Board the ability to help address their habitability issues. The proposed measure responsibly phases out exemptions, lowers the rent cap to 3%, and brings more units under the Rent Control Ordinance. It requires a Notice of Rights to be given to all tenants, makes utility costs more equitable, fixes several technical issues in the original ordinance, and more.
Tenant protections, the right to organize, and rent control all help keep housing affordable, prevent homelessness, and mitigate displacement in Berkeley, which is a majority-renter city. Voters deserve to have a say! Let’s put the pro-rent control ballot measure (Lunaparra) and anti-rent control ballot measure (BPOA) in front of the voters and let the public decide.
We need our pro-tenant Councilmembers to step up, be our champions, and stand with renters! Please vote YES to support tenants and democracy!
It's helpful to identify yourself in some way (ex. student, tenant, community member, District 7 resident, unhoused resident, housing lawyer, pro-tenant landlord/homeowner, etc).
Feel free to personalize your email - tell the City Council how high housing costs impact your life and how this would help. For example, if you live in Section 8 housing, talk about what Just Cause eviction protections would mean for you. If you live in a large building and want to organize with your neighbors for lower rents, talk about how impactful the Right to Organize would be.
Be direct and principled in your demands, but be respectful. Please keep your emails and comments focused on this item only. We need FIVE Councilmembers to vote yes!
Please also come to the City Council meeting on Monday, August 5 to show your support for tenants' rights. If you are able, it is highly encouraged that you come in-person to hold signs (masked). You can make public comments on Zoom or in person. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6pm, and it is the only thing on the agenda. At 5:30pm, there will be a press conference outside the City Council meeting featuring tenant organizations, Berkeley residents, and supportive elected officials.
Check out this student-created public comment guide!
Address: 1231 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94702 (accessible via AC Transit). We highly encourage masking to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
Zoom URL: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1600382759. To request to speak, use the “raise hand” icon by rolling over the bottom of the screen. To join by phone: Dial 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free) and enter Meeting ID: 160 038 2759. If you wish to comment during the public comment portion of the agenda, Press *9 and wait to be recognized by the Chair. Please be mindful that the meeting will be recorded.
