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Residents urge council to preserve Takoma Park's rent-stabilization protections as review begins
Summary
Dozens of tenants and advocates urged Takoma Park officials to protect existing rent-stabilization rules, demand robust tenant-centered public engagement in the city's consultant-led review, and resist proposals that would weaken CPI indexing or extend new-construction exemptions.
Dozens of tenants and renter advocates asked the Takoma Park City Council on Feb. 11 to preserve the city's rent-stabilization protections and to ensure the upcoming consultant review centers tenant voices.
"We should be proud that we have some of the strongest protections for renters in the state and in the country," said Graham Karp, a former tenant and member of Montgomery County Democratic Socialists of America, during public comment. He told councilors he feared the review could be used to weaken protections such as CPI indexing and vacancy controls.
Other residents described the ordinance as a critical tool for stability. Olivia Delaplane, a renter in a four-unit building, said the policy helped her remain close to family and work: "My husband and I are both nonprofit workers already spending a third of our income on rent each month." Several speakers asked council to reject proposals to allow rent increases higher than the Consumer Price Index or to lengthen the exemption period for new construction beyond the current five years.
Speakers also pressed for clearer public-engagement timelines from the consultant RSG. "When will the details of the public engagement process be shared? What renters, landlords, and advocates will be contacted?" asked Randy Gibson, a former council member. Council members and staff said multiple focus groups and surveys are planned and pledged to share a timeline and outreach plan.
Mayor Searcy stressed that the consultant will produce recommendations and that any change would require council action: "The contractor will make recommendations, but it will be this council's decision regarding to adopt or not." She urged residents to participate in the RSG focus groups and other engagement opportunities so the city hears a broad range of perspectives.
Next steps: staff and RSG will publish engagement dates and survey links; the council will review final recommendations before deciding whether to amend the ordinance.
Speakers quoted: Graham Karp; Olivia Delaplane; Randy Gibson.
