www.montereycountyweekly.com April 11-17, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 Signs announcing “housing is a human right” and “rent is too high,” along with demands for rent control and stories of evictions, have become commonplace at Salinas City Council meetings. Residents speak in English, Spanish and Mexican indigenous languages, sharing their experiences of living in one of the most expensive cities in the country. On March 26, City Hall was packed during a Housing and Land Use Committee meeting, where officials discussed the Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection report. “The purpose of this is to make sure that people remain housed and to make sure that people who are living in sick living conditions fully understand their rights, and that they have greater protection under the law from abuse in the housing market,” Councilmember Anthony Rocha says. For nearly two hours, people for and against a local tenant protection and rent stabilization ordinance voiced support or disapproval, with many citing the lack of available housing units. (Salinas hasn’t seen a large residential development in over 20 years.) Kevin Dayton of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce asked if the city was really doing its part to increase the housing stock. “Maybe the desire instead to do rent stabilization is an easier way to do it,” he said, adding that if the city implements a local ordinance, it could motivate landlords to take their properties off the market. Genesis Mujica, a youth organizer with the Center for Community Advocacy, said she sees families struggling every day to make ends meet. “These are the people who feed our table,” Mujica said, “yet they are squished in one room with their five kids. And yes, that is very unfortunate, but this is something that we could fix in the next few years.” Since October, Salinas officials have been developing a prospective ordinance that would limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from evictions without just cause. The state has implemented various laws, including the Tenant Protection Act in 2020, which created statewide protections against excessive rent increases and requires “just cause” for tenant eviction. Several laws have also gone into effect to speed up the process for housing projects. According to the Labor Market Information Division of the Employment Development Department, in 2023 the annual salary for farmworkers in Monterey County was $32,741, while the current median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,950 (22 percent above the national median, according to Zillow). City officials are now conducting a survey and will hold community meetings for input. A draft ordinance shows it could, for example, require a landlord to pay a greater amount of relocation assistance beyond what state law requires; cap rental rate increases (with the option for a landlord to petition for a higher increase); and more. The ordinance is still in its early stages and is expected to return to the council this summer. Rent Bill Salinas is working on an ordinance that would control rent increases and protect tenants from evictions without cause. By Celia Jiménez Members of the public spoke to Salinas City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 20, advocating for rent control. Local groups such as Center for Community Advocacy have mobilized residents. NEWS “They are squished in one room with their five kids.” CELIA JIMÉNEZ Try Us First. We Pay The Highest! MONTEREY COIN SHOPPE Since 1970 same street for 40 years Open Mon-Thur 11am-4pm and Friday by appointment only. Call for an appointment: 831.646.9030 449 Alvarado St., Monterey www.montereycoinshoppe.com WE BUY GOLD AND SILVER, JEWELRY, COINS, DIAMONDS, WATCHES, ART & RARE ANTIQUES
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==