San Mateo council directs staff to draft tenant-protection measures, defers rental registry

The San Mateo City Council on Monday directed staff to draft ordinances implementing portions of the city’s certified 2023–2031 housing element aimed at protecting tenants from displacement, while declining to adopt a citywide rental registry at this time.

The direction came after a staff presentation by Rachel Horst, housing and neighborhood services manager, and Jennifer Mora, housing specialist, a multi-hour public comment period and council discussion during a study-session item on housing element implementation and anti-displacement measures.

Staff framed the discussion around several housing-element commitments: expanding relocation assistance, a right-to-return following demolition or substantial remodels, strengthening enforcement for tenants displaced by unsafe or substandard housing, and researching options for a rental registry to better track rents and evictions. Horst told the council that “rent control is not 1 of those considerations this evening.”

Public commenters and organized groups were split. Representatives of the Our Home San Mateo coalition, the Housing Leadership Council and faith-based groups urged stronger tenant protections; Theresa Gebler said the community “really cares about renters issues.” Trade and landlord…