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Oakland Tenants Movement In A Crisis
The Housing Crisis In Oakland Deepens As
A Key Player In Dick Spees Rent Board Task Force Refuses To Comply With The Renter Movement's Efforts To Remove Him From The Task Force.
A Key Player In Dick Spees Rent Board Task Force Refuses To Comply With The Renter Movement's Efforts To Remove Him From The Task Force.
Oakland Tenants Movement In A Crisis Over Task Force Deal
By Lynda Carson 10/23/01
Oakland,Ca-In a clear sign that the Oakland tenants movement is in a crisis,
James Vann of the Oakland Tenants Union has refused to back out of the
Dick Spees Task Force proposals that will cost Oakland renters many millions of dollars for years ahead. Dates to vote upon the Task Force proposals already have been set, even though Vann declines having knowledge of knowing when. The Task Force proposals which intend to replace Oaklands 3% cap on rent increases with a new floating CPI/less shelter formula, will end rent control in Oakland as we know it. As a means to accomodate the land lord lobby and their demands for the future rent increases to be allowed to go into effect as soon as possible, the Task Force also came up with a proposal that will create a 2 tiered system (new mediation program) in the Rent Arbitration Program in an effort to divert petitioners away from the Commissioners that would hear their case. It's a tactic to pressure the renters into accepting rent increases that would otherwise be unlawful if their petition was brought before the full board of Commissioners. An additional new $1.5 million annual fee shall be extracted from the landlords and the renters to finance the proposed mediation scheme, and without any safeguards being put into effect, many are expressing concerns that the full annual $1.5 million fee will also be placed upon the shoulders of Oakland renters. The Task Force proposals are to be voted upon by C.E.D.A. on November 27, 2001, then moving before the full City Council for a vote upon December 11, 2001, and if passed shall go into full effect on January 1, 2002.
In a call to James Vann on Monday the 22nd of October, Vann claimed that he
does not care if he destroys the tenants movement of Oakland by his participation in the Task Force, states that he does this for the renters, and goes on to blame others for not making it clear to him that he lacks their support. James Vann, who ran Just Cause Oakland aground last year during their effort to place a Just Cause Eviction Initiative on the ballot when he voided out over 7,500 valid signatures, has since gone on to fill the political void with the Oakland Tenants Union. Vann claims, that the Oakland Tenants Union,
supports him in his Task Force schemes, but upon some closer checking it turns out that the Oakland Tenants Union never voted to support the Task Force proposals that are to voted upon, and Vann has been left out in the cold. Not only have the (tenant) members of the Task Force denounced the process, but Just Cause Oakland recently also sent letters to all the Oakland Council Members to denounce the process in an effort of non-support to the Task Force proposals, and the Oakland Tenants Union itself will not vote to support the Task Force proposals. James Vann vigoursly objected to the decision of Just Cause Oakland when they distanced theirselves from his actions with their letter campaign. Vann and others of the Task Force deal were flooded with calls of non-support recently, when the details of the Task Force proposals started to reach the light of day. Only Vann was left holding the bag when all was done and said, and he decided to run with it. On his own without the support of the community, he now pushes it through the process until it reaches the full City Council.
In calls made to Eddie Ytuarte also of the Oakland Tenants Union who supports James Vann in the Task Force proposals, Ytuarte denounces any and all who question Vann's role in the affair or his own, and like Vann, blames others over the situation. Ytuarte and Vann have both been known to approach others in the community in an effort to pressure them into silence about what has been going on behind the scenes, and to lend some support to silence the critics of the Task Force deal. Ytuarte also was a Task Force Member promoting this scheme to raise the rents, then tried to conceal his actions after being confronted by the tenant's movement for his actions.
Vann and Ytuarte who both have political ambitions, try to use the Task Force proposals to gain a stronger foothold in the world of Oakland politics. In call's made to some in the art world, they say that they are glad to see Eddie Ytuarte leave their community after seeing his approach to politics while in their domain. Ytuarte tries to come off as a man with a reputation to uphold, and others denounce him for being an arrogant opportunist who has no scruples, sources say. Ytuarte switched from the politics in the art world of Oakland after some heated turmoil, and entered into the politics of renters in Oakland in a failed effort to be placed on the Rent Board by Mayor Jerry Brown. Known as a political opportunist like many others such as Audi Bock, Ytuarte tries to scramble his way to the top of the political heap in anyway he can.
As the battle continues to brew in Oakland over it's Task Force proposals, theres a general consensus over a three pronged approach to deal with the problem of Vann running amuck without the support of the renters community.
Efforts are underway to organise the people to make make sure something like this nevers happens again to the renters of Oakland and their supporters, whereby the actions of so few could affect so many. Oakland has over 200,000
renters, and the proposed Task Force deal will allow future rent increases that are expected to be devastating to the renters community at large. The landlords needed cover for what they are pulling off with the support of Councilman (tricky) Dick Spees, and sources say, and that James Vann and Eddie Ytuarte are the dancing bears.
Renters and their supporters plan to be there at C.E.D.A on November 27, to make sure publicly that James Vann does not have their support no matter what he claims, is isolated, and that they will demand that the 3% cap on rent increases shall remain in place. If it goes on to the full Council as scheduled for December 11, sources say, that renters will be asked to turn out in force to protect their interests from the Task Force proposals, and that it will be one hell of a fight. Many are at this point outraged that James Vann has pushed them into this position and are anxious to remove him from the tenants community for his renegade actions that have sold out the renters of Oakland.
The renters of Oakland are being urged to call, write, and e-mail their City Council Members in protest of the proposed Task Force deals. Renters are being urged to demand that the City Council Members keep the annual 3% cap on rent
increases in effect indefinitely until the Housing Crisis in the Bay Area is fully resolved.
By Lynda Carson 10/23/01
Oakland,Ca-In a clear sign that the Oakland tenants movement is in a crisis,
James Vann of the Oakland Tenants Union has refused to back out of the
Dick Spees Task Force proposals that will cost Oakland renters many millions of dollars for years ahead. Dates to vote upon the Task Force proposals already have been set, even though Vann declines having knowledge of knowing when. The Task Force proposals which intend to replace Oaklands 3% cap on rent increases with a new floating CPI/less shelter formula, will end rent control in Oakland as we know it. As a means to accomodate the land lord lobby and their demands for the future rent increases to be allowed to go into effect as soon as possible, the Task Force also came up with a proposal that will create a 2 tiered system (new mediation program) in the Rent Arbitration Program in an effort to divert petitioners away from the Commissioners that would hear their case. It's a tactic to pressure the renters into accepting rent increases that would otherwise be unlawful if their petition was brought before the full board of Commissioners. An additional new $1.5 million annual fee shall be extracted from the landlords and the renters to finance the proposed mediation scheme, and without any safeguards being put into effect, many are expressing concerns that the full annual $1.5 million fee will also be placed upon the shoulders of Oakland renters. The Task Force proposals are to be voted upon by C.E.D.A. on November 27, 2001, then moving before the full City Council for a vote upon December 11, 2001, and if passed shall go into full effect on January 1, 2002.
In a call to James Vann on Monday the 22nd of October, Vann claimed that he
does not care if he destroys the tenants movement of Oakland by his participation in the Task Force, states that he does this for the renters, and goes on to blame others for not making it clear to him that he lacks their support. James Vann, who ran Just Cause Oakland aground last year during their effort to place a Just Cause Eviction Initiative on the ballot when he voided out over 7,500 valid signatures, has since gone on to fill the political void with the Oakland Tenants Union. Vann claims, that the Oakland Tenants Union,
supports him in his Task Force schemes, but upon some closer checking it turns out that the Oakland Tenants Union never voted to support the Task Force proposals that are to voted upon, and Vann has been left out in the cold. Not only have the (tenant) members of the Task Force denounced the process, but Just Cause Oakland recently also sent letters to all the Oakland Council Members to denounce the process in an effort of non-support to the Task Force proposals, and the Oakland Tenants Union itself will not vote to support the Task Force proposals. James Vann vigoursly objected to the decision of Just Cause Oakland when they distanced theirselves from his actions with their letter campaign. Vann and others of the Task Force deal were flooded with calls of non-support recently, when the details of the Task Force proposals started to reach the light of day. Only Vann was left holding the bag when all was done and said, and he decided to run with it. On his own without the support of the community, he now pushes it through the process until it reaches the full City Council.
In calls made to Eddie Ytuarte also of the Oakland Tenants Union who supports James Vann in the Task Force proposals, Ytuarte denounces any and all who question Vann's role in the affair or his own, and like Vann, blames others over the situation. Ytuarte and Vann have both been known to approach others in the community in an effort to pressure them into silence about what has been going on behind the scenes, and to lend some support to silence the critics of the Task Force deal. Ytuarte also was a Task Force Member promoting this scheme to raise the rents, then tried to conceal his actions after being confronted by the tenant's movement for his actions.
Vann and Ytuarte who both have political ambitions, try to use the Task Force proposals to gain a stronger foothold in the world of Oakland politics. In call's made to some in the art world, they say that they are glad to see Eddie Ytuarte leave their community after seeing his approach to politics while in their domain. Ytuarte tries to come off as a man with a reputation to uphold, and others denounce him for being an arrogant opportunist who has no scruples, sources say. Ytuarte switched from the politics in the art world of Oakland after some heated turmoil, and entered into the politics of renters in Oakland in a failed effort to be placed on the Rent Board by Mayor Jerry Brown. Known as a political opportunist like many others such as Audi Bock, Ytuarte tries to scramble his way to the top of the political heap in anyway he can.
As the battle continues to brew in Oakland over it's Task Force proposals, theres a general consensus over a three pronged approach to deal with the problem of Vann running amuck without the support of the renters community.
Efforts are underway to organise the people to make make sure something like this nevers happens again to the renters of Oakland and their supporters, whereby the actions of so few could affect so many. Oakland has over 200,000
renters, and the proposed Task Force deal will allow future rent increases that are expected to be devastating to the renters community at large. The landlords needed cover for what they are pulling off with the support of Councilman (tricky) Dick Spees, and sources say, and that James Vann and Eddie Ytuarte are the dancing bears.
Renters and their supporters plan to be there at C.E.D.A on November 27, to make sure publicly that James Vann does not have their support no matter what he claims, is isolated, and that they will demand that the 3% cap on rent increases shall remain in place. If it goes on to the full Council as scheduled for December 11, sources say, that renters will be asked to turn out in force to protect their interests from the Task Force proposals, and that it will be one hell of a fight. Many are at this point outraged that James Vann has pushed them into this position and are anxious to remove him from the tenants community for his renegade actions that have sold out the renters of Oakland.
The renters of Oakland are being urged to call, write, and e-mail their City Council Members in protest of the proposed Task Force deals. Renters are being urged to demand that the City Council Members keep the annual 3% cap on rent
increases in effect indefinitely until the Housing Crisis in the Bay Area is fully resolved.
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To the contrary, any tenants willing to be part of the effort to push for improvements in Oakland's rent ordinance are urged to call the the Oakland Tenants Union (510-704-5276). Together, we can work for positive change, free from nasty vitrol and personal attack, to bring about positive changes in the interest of all of Oakland's tenants.
COUNCILMAN DICK SPEES IS NOT A FRIEND OF THE
TENANTS MOVEMENT NOW OR EVER, AND MORE REMT INCREASES FOR THE RENTERS IS NOT A SOLUTION TO THE HOUSING CRISIS. THE TASK FORCE PROPOSALS ARE DEVASTATING TO THE RENTERS OF OAKLAND.
Mark that calender: Join Oakland Renters:
Be There:
November 27 for the 10: a.m. C.E.D.A. Meeting at the Oakland City Hall to save the annual 3% cap on rent increases before a new formula is voted on to replace it, and reject the Task Force proposals.
Be There:
December 11 for the 7:p.m. City Council Meeting at City Hall to reject the Task Force proposals and oppose the full City Council from voting on the proposals.
Until then call your Council Members, write, send e-mails, or pay them a visit to tell them you demand that the annual 3% cap on rent increases must remain in place until the Housing Crisis no longer exists in the
Bay Area.
Any REAL leadership in the Tenants Movement should be telling you the same thing, and if they do not, then you better start asking some deep questions real fast.
Tell your friends, neighbors, and family members to
reject the notion of more rent increases to solve the Housing Crisis. Stand up on your own 2 feet, and let your voice be heard so that the Council Members can support your interests!
Sincerely
Lynda Carson
The rental situation in Oakland has now settled back into its "normal" condition. Vacancies are substantially up, apartments are standing vacant for periods of weeks and months and rents have dropped from 15% to over 40% below the levels experienced a year ago. In essence, there are now more housing units available than there are people who want to rent them and the current prices have reverted back to the prices of two years ago, before the dot.com boom began to influence Oakland housing.
In general, Oakland experiences rent increases later than other communities nearby. This is not to say that poor and working class people don't need quality, affordable housing. I'm just saying that Oakland has remained the primary source of that housing in this part of the Bay Area. Oakland has also remained the most affordable source of housing in this geographically central part of the Bay Area.
As an owner of rental property, I believe that the Spees Committee represented neither the interests of the Renters nor the interests of the Rental Housing Owners. To assert that the Rental Housing Owners were able to coerce or somehow influence Mr. Spees in any way illustrates a total lack of real knowledge of what happened. As a matter of fact, Mr. Spees verbally abused and threatened representatives of the Rental Housing Owners Association and refused to listen to their protests that the Committee's report completely distorted their own interests. These owners never supported the multimillion dollar tax and they were well aware of the failure of Oakland Government to deal in a timely way with rental abuses brought to its attention.
I agree that people and organizations with money and power tend to push institituions around. This would lead one to assume that the Rental Housing Owners had an ironclad grip on Spees' committee. Sorry to burst that bubble but it never happened. It's just that although this sort of assertion is generally true, it is an imcredibly simplistic analysis and when presented as fact, especially in this instance, it is just plain false.
One thing that is disappointing to me, as good people try to address the need for good, safe, affordable housing, is that the very people who are promoting affordable housing have been loath to engage in any discussion of any sort with the actual providers of rental housing. I speak from personal experience.
Here's hoping that future articles about rental housing issues in Oakland contain more facts and less conjecture. Here's hoping they contain less bombast and clearer thinking. Here's hoping.
What is right is wrong to the left and vice versa.
We ended up extremely and aggressively defensive.