San Mateo commission holds second anti-displacement workshop; Nov. 20 minutes approved

SAN MATEO, Calif. — At a regular meeting of the San Mateo City Community Relations Commission, staff led a second community workshop on anti-displacement and tenant-protection policies tied to the city's 2024 housing element and commissioners unanimously approved the minutes of the Nov. 20, 2024, commission meeting.

The workshop, presented by Jennifer, housing staff for the City of San Mateo, and Rachel, city staff, reviewed the housing element's three-part framework (production, preservation and protection) and three proposed policies to expand tenant protections. Jennifer said the proposals include strengthening local enforcement and penalties, requiring tenant relocation payments for certain no-fault evictions for occupants with tenure of less than one year, and monitoring rents and displacement trends through options such as a rental registry. Jennifer said staff intends to recommend specific policies to the City Council and pursue implementation between 2024 and 2026.

Rachel, city staff, summarized outreach to legal-service providers and community organizations. She reported that providers told staff demand for legal services grew about 68% from 2018 to 2023; nonpayment-of-rent cases have more than doubled since 2018; and unlawful-detainer filings also increased in the most recent year. "This tells us the primary driver of displacement is difficulty paying rent," Rachel said. She added that AB…