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Supervisors push tenant protections: upcoming long‑term eviction protections and a proposed rent‑increase freeze
Summary
On April 7, supervisors announced and introduced multiple measures to protect renters, including plans for long‑term eviction protections, a proposed freeze on rent increases under the city’s rent stabilization rules, and a continued push for state eviction and foreclosure moratoria.
Several supervisors used roll call remarks on April 7 to announce and advance tenant protections as the city confronts significant income loss tied to the COVID‑19 crisis.
Supervisor Ahsha Safaie (recorded in roll as “Supervisor Preston” and others; transcript uses last names) announced that his office has worked with advocates and the city attorney to introduce “the strongest allowable protections” for tenants. Supervisor Preston said legislation coming the following week would include long‑term eviction protections and prohibition of late fees for tenants who lose income during the emergency. “We must do everything within our power to ensure that this public health crisis does not add yet another dimension to our housing and displacement crisis,” Preston said.
Separately, Supervisors Feuer, Peskin and Preston introduced an emergency ordinance at the meeting to freeze all rent increases that would otherwise be allowed under San Francisco’s rent stabilization ordinance (Chapter 37), effective upon introduction. Supervisor Feuer said the ordinance would freeze banked annual increases and pass‑throughs and could be heard in committee on April 20 and at the full board on April 21 if the president waived certain rules. Supervisor Peskin and others asked to be added as cosponsors.
The board also considered (and later continued) a resolution urging the State Legislature to pass Assembly Bill 828 and Senate Bill 939 to prohibit foreclosures and evictions during the state of emergency; Supervisor Mandelmann moved to continue that resolution for one week to allow additional consultation with stakeholders and the legislative offices referenced.
Taken together the announcements represent a multi‑track approach: (1) locally enacted moratoria and immediate freezes on rent increases; (2) longer‑term municipal ordinances to prevent displacement after the emergency ends; and (3) advocacy urging state and federal action on eviction/foreclosure moratoria.
Ending: Supervisors asked the city attorney and staff to draft ordinance text, to coordinate with tenant advocates, and to schedule committee hearings. Several supervisors emphasized that local action complements but cannot substitute for coordinated state and federal relief for tenants and landlords.
Note on terminology: the transcript uses last names for speakers; where first names were not provided in the record, article uses the title and last name as recorded.
