BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL LAND USE, HOUSING, & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING

Thursday, February 4, 2021 10:30 AM

Committee Members:
Councilmembers Sophie Hahn, Rigel Robinson, and Lori Droste Alternate: Councilmember Ben Bartlett
PUBLIC ADVISORY: THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH VIDEOCONFERENCE AND TELECONFERENCE

To access the meeting remotely using the internet: Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device: Use URL https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84514737810. If you do not wish for your name to appear on the screen, then use the drop down menu and click on "rename" to rename yourself to be anonymous. To request to speak, use the “raise hand” icon on the screen.

To join by phone: Dial 1-669-900-9128 or 1-877-853-5257 (Toll Free) and Enter Meeting ID: 845 1473 7810. If you wish to comment during the public comment portion of the agenda, press *9 and wait to be recognized by the Chair.

Key agenda items relevant to Panthers, referrred by the Homeless Committee chair Carole Marosavic

2a. Amending Source of Income Discrimination Ordinance to Establish Administrative Enforcement Procedure
From: Homeless Commission
Referred: March 30, 2020
Due: February 4, 2021
Recommendation: The Homeless Commission recommends that BMC 13.31 be amended to provide for an administrative procedure to enforce the anti-discrimination property rental ordinance as to source of income. Such procedure should involve establishing a complaints procedure under an existing City of Berkeley department such as the Department of Planning or Rent Stabilization Board, where a complaint could be filed by a prospective tenant, or tenant, alleging that they have been discriminated against by a landlord, property owner or authorized agent or employee when seeking rental housing or in any other context currently covered under BMC 13.31.
The Homeless Commission further recommends that any person seeking housing, with a voucher or any subsidy to pay their rent, be considered for the rental in the order which their rental application is received and be entitled to the rental as the first applicant of right. Insufficient credit or poor credit shall not be a fact considered for rental as to the totality of the rent to be paid if the rent is to be otherwise paid through the voucher or subsidy source.
Financial Implications: See report
Contact: Brittany Carnegie, Commission Secretary, (510) 981-5400

2b. Companion Report: Amending Source of Income Discrimination Ordinance to Establish Administrative Enforcement Procedure
From: City Manager
Referred: March 30, 2020
Due: February 4, 2021
Recommendation: The City Manager thanks the Homeless Commission for their concern regarding potential discrimination against residents trying to utilize rental assistance vouchers in Berkeley. She recommends, however, taking no action on the Homeless Commission recommendation since the City already funds legal assistance for low-income residents that may be used to obtain relief under BMC 13.31.
Financial Implications: None
Contact: Lisa Warhuus, Housing and Community Services, (510) 981-5400

Note that the committee has not yet scheduled a conversation on the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), a major EBGP priority.