Signature Gathering for more Oakland renter protections

Please feel free to join the movement to help bring stronger renter protections to Oakland! The rents are higher than ever, public housing in the Bay Area is being privatized and sold off to so-called affordable housing developers, and Judge Jacobson has moved the "eviction case system" and Self-Help Center from Oakland to the far reaches of Hayward. Bringing stronger renter protections to Oakland renters is crucial at this point in time! (LC)

Friends and Supporters of Justice for Oakland Tenants

The “Protect Oakland Renters Act” & Initiative Campaign mobilizes this Saturday, April 30, and we want each and every one of you to be part this movement.

What: Signature Gathering mobilization
When: Saturday, April 30
Where: CJJC office @ 3268 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland 94608
Time: 9:30am-2pm

To RSVP, or if questions, please respond directly to: becki [at] cjjc.org

Preparing this Initiative was the priority goal of Oakland Tenants Union. Qualification (and passage at the November ballot) is absolutely essential to getting rid of Oakland's current, landlord-written "Rent Adjustment Program (RAP)," and replacing it with true "rent stabilization" that immediately halts skyrocketing rent increases, unlawful evictions, and raging displacement. It is critical that OTU, tenants, and all supporters must be visible and active in this qualification effort.

Highlights of the "Protect Oakland Renters" Initiative:
-- Caps rent increases at 60% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) annually (currenly 100%).
-- Establishes that no rent increase can exceed 5% annually (formerly unlimited; and currently 10%).
-- Reforms Rent Board members to reflect the tenant population of 60%.
-- Removes requirement on tenants to file petitions; owner must file petition if can prove case for "fair return."
-- Owners cannot pass rent program fees to tenants.
-- Provides free legal, translation, and pre-eviction counseling.
-- Extends eviction protections to all buildings -- except owner-occupied duplexes and publicly subsidized housing.
-- Strengthens rights of tenants to sublet.
-- Requires City to fund and enforce the "Tenant Protection Ordinance" (against harassment, intimidation, abuse, etc).
-- Establishes increased moving & relocation payments up to $18,300, minimum, for evictions not caused by the tenant. .

This Saturday, April 30, from 9:30am to 2pm, we need and request you to take part in the next weekly mobilization and petition canvass to protect renters being displaced in droves by skyrocketing rents, unfair evictions, and unlawful practices -- #ProtectOaklandRenters. The mobilization will begin with a brief program and training on why the time is NOW to protect renters and take on Oakland’s growing displacement crisis, and a quick “signature gathering 101,” followed by heading out to neighborhoods and high traffic areas to speak directly with Oakland voters and collect signatures to qualify the measure.
Please let us count on you to join us this Saturday?

We are calling on all renters, allies of renters, working families, and communities of color being pushed out of the city to turn out in large numbers to show both the breadth and strength of the coalition, as well as to ensure that we have a solid crew of folks to increase the energy and accomplishments of the volunteer signature gathering effort !

Who: The Committee to Protect Oakland Renters includes ACCE Action, Causa Justa::Just Cause (CJJC), the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), Oakland Tenants Union (OTU), SEIU Local 1021, California Nurses Association-Oakland (CNA), Policy Link, Oakland Rising, Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), and other community organizations.

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