District reports expansion of rental housing mediation; 19 requests so far this year and new bilingual outreach

Staff presented the annual report on the district’s rental housing mediation program, describing a restructured intake system, bilingual staffing and outreach, and early usage statistics.

Since the program’s relaunch (data gathering began in February), staff said the program had received 16 requests by the time of the presentation and later reported three additional requests, bringing the total to 19 for 2025. The program now offers multiple options on its inquiry form — mediation, legal advice, referrals — and uses bilingual mediators and a legal advisor to serve Spanish‑speaking residents. Staff said most requests (roughly 75%) come from tenants and that the majority of cases are resolved quickly; three mediations were in scheduling at the time of the report.

Staff reviewed common issues prompting inquiries: rent or payment disputes (including roommate payment splits), living-condition complaints (notably mold), lease questions, and noise disturbances. Staff noted the program is tracking response times and follow-ups in a new spreadsheet and will begin collecting satisfaction survey data to report at later meetings. The program also plans quarterly workshops, a security-deposit workshop (scheduled the week after the meeting), and targeted outreach to landlords and property providers to increase awareness and referrals.

Board members praised the rapid uptake and noted coordination with Associated Students and UCSB Housing Services to route appropriate cases to the district program (for roommate and interpersonal disputes that other student services do not handle). Staff said they will provide satisfaction survey results at the next report and continue outreach to increase landlord participation.