Crowds pack Salinas City Council meeting over tenant protection program discussion

SALINAS, Calif (KION-TV) - On Tuesday night, Salinas City Council decided to move forward with the next steps on a proposed protection program for renters. Chambers was packed with roughly 100 people for the discussion which focused on the criteria and details.

The city said this program includes three draft ordinances surrounding rent stabilization, tenant protection and just-cause eviction.

“We're seeing abuses from landlords to tenants in a way that really is taking advantage of power dynamic, where we're trying to fight against that and say, you know, this is where tenants have the right. They are humans and a place to live," said Clarissa Reyes-Becerra with Centro Binacional Para El Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño.

Multiple organizations for housing rights gathered outside Salinas City Hall prior to the discussion. That includes youth leader Genisis Mojica with the Center for Community Advocacy, who's looking top educate those in her group about the issue.

"We got about 15 youth here representing the youth voices. So, you know, just because this was usually an adult conversation, we made sure to have the youth here to represent themselves and just to understand how important our housing is," Mojica said.

The city adds, they’ve been engaging with tens of thousands of people since the program was first introduced last October. During the report, city council broke down the details behind the program including rent stabilization and increase limits. They also pointed to data showing rent growth has exceeded income growth.

Still, some people during public comment voiced their opposition to the proposal.

"By all means, pass the anti harassment components. I don't think anyone's in disagreement that no one should be harassed, but I think there's a lot of work to be done to better consider the implications of the rent stabilization ordinance," one person said during public comment.

The discussion and public comment went late into the night Tuesday. It passed by a 5-0 vote with Mayor Kimbley Craig not present for the vote.

In terms of the next steps for this program, with city council agreeing on the criteria for the program Tuesday, the final draft ordinances would be brought forward for Sept. 10. Adoption of the final draft ordinance would then be scheduled for Sept. 24th.