The following was issued by Richmond Mayor Irma Anderson today: 

PRESS ADVISORY      

EMBARGOED for release until 5/15/05

13 May 2005

CONTACT: Jay Leonhardy

Assistant to the Mayor

510.620.6503 (w) 510.610.5162 (cell)

PUBLIC HEARING ON JUST CAUSE RENT ORDINANCE DELAYED Mayor to appoint task force to develop an amended proposal 

Richmond, CA:  Mayor Irma L. Anderson announced today that, at the request of the Just Cause Coalition and with the agreement of the California Apartment Owners Association, she is delaying the Council discussion on the proposed Just Cause Ordinance.  The issue of tenant's rights and landlord responsibilities has been a hot button issue in Richmond for more than two years, but neither side has tried working together to develop legislation aimed at resolving their differences. 

"Protecting the rights of tenants and landlords is an important issue in Richmond, but right now the stakeholders in this issue are so very far apart that it makes no sense to bring this to a decision of the Council at this time," said Mayor Anderson. 

"The vast majority of landlords and tenants in Richmond are responsible and responsive.  However, we need to develop legislation that provides standards and definitions that will identify unscrupulous landlords and irresponsible tenants.  I have asked each association, and they have agreed, to sit down together this summer with my office and bring something back for consideration after the Council's summer recess. 

Tenants in Richmond feel that they have fewer protections against eviction and large rent increases than tenants in other parts of the Bay Area.  Landlords feel that any effort to provide controls and standards related to rent increases or evictions are punitive and infringe on their property rights.  By developing and working with a small task force of stakeholders, Mayor Anderson feels that the challenges presented by these disparate views can be overcome and that common goals can be identified, as well as achieved. 

Just Cause Coalition contact:  Cherysse Walton @ 510.776.9260 California Apartment Owners Association Contact: Theresa Carr @ 707.557.1848 

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