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New Good Samaritan ordinance lets disaster‑displaced tenants rent at pre‑disaster rates for up to two years
Summary
Human Services Agency staff summarized a new Good Samaritan ordinance that enables households displaced from rent‑controlled units by disaster to occupy participating landlord units at their pre‑disaster rent for up to two years; HSA was named to sign eligibility certificates for landlords who opt in.
Daniel Haims, identified in the meeting as the Human Services Agency emergency‑response director, briefed the council on the recently passed Good Samaritan ordinance and how it will operate in practice.
According to the presentation, the ordinance allows people displaced from rent‑controlled housing by fire or other disaster to rent alternate units at their pre‑disaster rent for up to two years. Haims said the Human Services Agency has been designated to issue the certificates needed for a landlord to participate and that staff would do outreach with property owners and the Apartment Owners Association to encourage voluntary participation.
Haims described a key incentive for landlords: tenants who occupy units under the program "would not establish tenants' rights," a provision intended to remove long‑term legal obligations on owners who temporarily make units available at a controlled rate. Haims said the program is intended to help the American Red Cross and other providers locate affordable temporary housing for displaced residents while preserving rent‑controlled housing rights for returning tenants.
Council members asked about implementation timing and outreach; staff said they expect to begin education and outreach in the coming weeks and to start processing certificates when displacement events occur. The briefing did not include a new council vote; staff characterized the update as an operational rollout of a recently adopted ordinance.
