Renters: RISE UP!

Saturday, October 1, 2016
​2:30PM - 4:00PM
Holy Spirit Church
37588 Fremont Blvd

Join RISE for a candidates forum to hear what city council and mayoral candidates plan to do about Fremont's growing housing affordability crisis and unfair evictions, and if they support community solutions like rent control and just cause protections.

This event is free to the public. Email risefremont@gmail.com for questions or requests.

Housing Questionnaire 
  1. What is your plan to deal with rising rents in Fremont, especially as more and more working people have to move out of the city? What are the three steps you would like to take to prevent displacement? 
  2. Would you vote for a rent stabilization policy for Fremont that limits rent increases to the annual change in the Consumer Price Index (currently around 2-3%)? Why or why not?  
  3. Would you vote for just cause eviction protections for Fremont tenants? Why or why not?
  4. What role would you like to see city council and city staff play in local and regional rent stabilization efforts?
Mayoral Candidate Responses
Lily Mei
  1. Three steps to prevent displacement: 
    1. Work with Fremont city staff to receive an updated report on Fremont's Affordable Housing Ordinance and the Residential Nexus Analysis last presented in 2015 regarding the impacts of new market-rate units and rental residential projects on the need for affordable housing. Review the report to ensure that the affordable housing plans are being complied to in timely manner.
    2. Review development project proposals to consider designs building not just market rate and affordable housing units but also middle-income housing units. Including ones which are affordable by design (such as smaller sq. ft) and near local amenities such as public transpiration.
    3. Enhance Fremont city's services for our residents to ensure programs that would deter displacement
      - Fremont Family Resource Center - where the FRC has over 25 State, County, City and non-profit agencies providing a variety of integrated services. Support staff in providing partnerships with local social service agencies - e.g. programs to help support the health and safety of seniors and low-income residents maintain quality of life - e.g. Life Eldercare's Meals on Wheels, Spectrum Community's  Low income energy assistance (HEAP) programs
      - Ensure that when affordable housing projects are being built that our city actively seeks partnerships with agencies which will provide important community services such as employment training centers, tutoring, or social services to provide tenants access to opportunities for quality of life skills.I would consider review and consideration for a rent stabilization policy. As a council member I supported a referral from Council member Vinnie Bacon. Our council will be holding a special study session to receive and discuss this report promoting affordable rental housing. ​
  2. I am uncertain as to a specific % of rent increase limitation such as the annual change in the Consumer Price index would be appropriate. I would need to compare similar Bay Area cities' % change and related policies impact on the rental housing markets. In addition, I would want to better understand the feasibility for the management of an annual change limitation tied to a variable factor like the Consumer Price index.
  3. I would consider voting for just cause eviction protections for Fremont tenants if there were a comprehensive well-defined approach that allowed for a balance protecting both the landlord’s and the tenants' rights.
  4. It is important for our city council and city staff to regularly review the impact of our current policies and processes to better understand their effectiveness for Fremont in local and regional rental practices. If necessary our city council should consider revisions and updates to ensure that they are meeting the current community needs for both landlord property owners and renters. 
City Council Candidate Responses
Marty Froomin
  1. Rents are rising because the landlords can get the rent. People are paying. If renters refused to pay the high rent, they could force landlords to reduce rent. As a Council member I may have influence over large rental developments, but those owned by individuals would be up to them to decide what rent is appropriate for their property.
  2. l think it should be up to the property owner to decide what the rent should be for their property. There is also no reason a renter can't negotiate a better rate with their landlord.
  3. ​l don't believe a special protection is required. Renters have a great power under California state law. 
  4. l don't know that the city is responsible for rental vacancies. If there are high vacancies, then the businesses will lower their rent. If the vacancy rate is low, that might support higher rental rates. It is good business.​
Kathy Kimberlin
  1. Come up with options to an alternative to rent control and just cause for eviction; Have conversations with local stakeholders that result in options for residents to STAY in Fremont; Create options for the youth who return to Fremont to have rent options vs staying with their parents, affording them independent options.
  2. I would welcome discussion to come up with a plan for rent stabilization policy for Fremont. I am a homeowner who considered downsizing and renting for a few years and realized it is not feasible in Fremont. My children who are 21 and 25 years of age cannot afford to rent in Fremont, unless they rent from me in my home. Options need to be created.
  3. I do not think this is the solution for Fremont.
  4. Work with local and regional stakeholders for solutions that fit THIS time in our economic climate. And be accountable for REAL recommendations.
​Laurie Manuel
  1. Without a doubt, we face a housing crisis in Fremont and the Bay Area. We must ensure that we pool in all our efforts and resources at the local and regional levels to address this. When elected to City Council, I will work to:
    1. INCREASE HOUSING SUPPLY: We must work to increase our supply of housing-not the high-end large townhomes and large single family detached homes, but a variety of housing that addresses the various demographics and economic strata for all members of our community. We must look creatively at shared housing, cohousing, smaller units that are affordable by design, senior housing, millennial housing and options for our empty-nesters.
    2.  INCREASE DEDICATED SOURCES OF REVENUE: I will work to get support to adopt a Commercial-linkage fee to provide an additional revenue stream for affordable housing dedicated to our workforce. I support the Alameda County Housing Bond. I will work with our non-profit affordable housing development partners to access the Cap and Trade funding set aside for affordable housing (Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Fund).
    3. INCREASE WAGES: Many in our community are overburdened by the percentage of wages that goes towards paying rent. In Fremont, you need to earn $41/hour to be able to afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment. I believe we must adopt a minimum wage ordinance, provide opportunities for job-training and attract various businesses into Fremont that provide good living wages.
  2. If we are serious about our goal of providing homes for all, and especially for the most vulnerable in our community, all options are on the table for discussion. I support a rent stabilization policy and will look to adopt it as several other cities in the region have already done, or are in the process of doing so. 
  3. I support strengthening our city policies to provide renters adequate protection. Through my professional work, my partner and I have seen firsthand the stress caused by eviction – especially ones with sketchy causes – with health-related risks and huge impacts to children and families. I will work to improve the RRIDRO
    process to ensure that the tenants feel safe in using the arbitration process. I will find partners who can educate the tenants on their rights. 
  4. The City of Fremont has been a leader in the region by being one of the first cities to adopt an affordable housing impact fee and inclusionary zoning. The best role that we can play is that of a leader by continuing to adopt strong policies that reflect our priority of providing housing for all in our community. I will work with advocacy groups like RISE, EBHO, NPH and SV@Home to collaborate on this regional issue and look for best practices. I will bring in “unlikely” partners to expand this conversation and to collectively find creative solutions. To me, affordable housing is not simply a housing issue, it Is a heathcare issue, an economic issue, an environmental issue and it certainly is a moral issue.