Another bid for just cause renters protections

County supervisors offer Gaza resolution; Union City residents, already paying more for garbage than their Tri-City neighbors, could see big rate increases; RFK Jr. makes VP pick today in Oakland

COUNTY NEWS

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

—COVER ME—A month after a proposal to bring just cause renters protections to unincorporated Alameda County was abruptly pulled from the Board of Supervisors agenda, it returns for discussion this afternoon.

—The proposed just cause ordinance includes renters protections over and above existing state law. It includes:

• Just cause protections that kick in after six months

• Three months of tenant relocation assistance for no-fault just cause evictions, and an additional month if the household includes someone under 18-years-old.

• Tenants have the right of first refusal to return to a unit within five years when evicted for an owner move-in or substantial remodel.

—My Eden Voice, an advocate for tenants in unincorporated Alameda County, says the ordinance does not go far enough and fails to protect one-quarter of the area’s roughly 60,000 renters.

—“The Just Cause ordinance proposed by Supervisor Nate Miley does little to protect unincorporated residents from evictions,” the group said on Monday. “My Eden Voice members are frustrated at this lack of leadership by the Board of Supervisors to keep our families housed.” 

—My Eden Voice is organizing a “healing march” and press conference for 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at 16378 East 14th Street in Ashland.

—GAZA RESOLUTION—Like the just cause ordinance, the Board of Supervisors pulled a resolution for the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza last month.

—The resolution returns this afternoon at a special meeting beginning at 4 p.m., but without streaming and Zoom capabilities.

—It’s unclear why the meeting, which follows today’s regular meeting, is labeled “in-person only” on the board’s website.

—Last week, the Fremont City Council passed a statement acknowledging the conflict and its toll on both Israelis and Palestinians, but fell short of calling for a permanent ceasefire.

—The resolution authored by Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley also does not mention a permanent ceasefire.

—However, it calls out both Hamas and the Israeli government for its actions in the war.

—“The terrorist acts carried out by Hamas and its agents on October 7, 2023 were a tragedy and crime against humanity,” the resolution states.

—In addition, Israel’s response to the Hamas attack was, according to the resolution, “out of proportion leading to unimaginable suffering for innocent children and families.”

—The lay of the land has somewhat changed since Fremont’s vote. Gov. Gavin Newsom last week called for a ceasefire, and the Biden administration did not oppose a United Nations resolution on Monday that calls for a ceasefire.

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