Committee advances amended relocation assistance ordinance capped at $50,000

The committee advanced an amended Relocation Assistance Ordinance intended to respond to a federal court stay and strengthen the city’s appeal.

Supervisor Campos said U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Breyer had stayed the prior ordinance, and the revised ordinance is designed to address the court’s concerns and bolster the city attorney’s appeal to the Ninth Circuit. Campos summarized the key changes: a $50,000 cap on relocation assistance, a requirement that tenants use payments for replacement housing, moving costs or other mitigation expenses, and a specification of the Controller’s method for estimating market cost of an apartment and timing for payment.

Campos said the amended text clarifies which tenants would receive the greater of the relocation payment or the traditional payment reduced by certain prior payments, and sets time frames for payment after the tenant submits a required declaration. The committee heard no public comment on this item before amendment and vote.

Supervisor Wiener moved the amendments (on behalf of Campos where procedural rules required a committee member to make the motion); Supervisor Kim seconded, and the committee passed the amendments and moved the amended ordinance forward with a positive recommendation.