R-9275
LETTER FROM MAYOR HOLBROOK IN LIEU OF RESOLUTION # 9275 CCS
July 24, 1998
Ms. Bruria Finkel, Chairperson
Santa Monica Rent Control Board
1685 Main Street #202
Santa Monica, CA. 90401
Dear Ms. Finkel,
As you are aware, on June 9, 1998, the City Council unanimously approved the creation of a
City- funded rental assistance program to temporarily subsidize the rents of Section 8 tenants
living in buildings where the owners have canceled their Section 8 contracts. In addition, the
City Council moved to request the Rent Control Board to establish a special project designed to
monitor the re-rental of apartments vacated by affected Section 8 tenants to ensure owners do not
obtain rent increases from subsequent incoming tenants. The City Council believes the
Costa-Hawkins Rental Act prohibits rent increases in these cases because the vacancies created
are not "voluntary vacancies". Targeted monitoring will serve as a strong deterrent for building
owners who might otherwise seek to remove Section 8 tenants as a way to obtain rent increases.
The intent of this letter is to formally request that the Rent Control Board establish a special
project designed to monitor the re-rental of apartments vacated by Section 8 tenants whose
building owners have canceled their Section 8 contracts. The City Council would very much
appreciate your assistance and support in this matter, and hopes the Rent Control Board will
decide to approve this request.
Sincerely,
Robert Holbrook
Mayor
PM:rcIetter