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City of Mountain View

Memorandum

To: Rental Housing Committee

From: Anky van Deursen, Associate Planner

Subject: Community Outreach and Education Plan

Date: May 4, 2017


INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

In the weeks after adoption of the CSFRA on November 8, 2016, staff implemented an ambitious outreach plan consisting of landlord and tenant informational postcards; community workshops; webpage updates www.mountainview.gov/rent stabilization, social media and MyMV emails; posting of FAQs and PPT Presentations and a Rental Housing hotline (email, phone, walk-in).Since the court issued the order denying the preliminary injunction on April 5, 2017 and the CSFRA became effective, staff has sent out letters to all multi-family apartment owners/managers and tenants to provide an update on their CSFRA rights and obligations. The website was updated with key elements of the CSFRA; and a template letter was posted on the website to help landlords and tenants understand and communicate the requirements of the roll back provisions of the CSFRA. Workshops have been planned for May to provide landlord and tenant education.

ANALYSIS:

Community Outreach will be essential for the success of the CSFRA program. The goal of community outreach is to disseminate information and increase awareness to landlords and tenants, augmenting their knowledge and skills, resulting in increased compliance with the CSFRA. Outreach can consist of a wide range of activities:

1.Increase awareness through distribution of information: develop collateral materials and distribution plan and outreach through internet and social media. Partnering with other organizations such as local churches and organizations (e.g. CSA, Work Center, Clinics, CHAC, Schools, Police, Senior Center, CAA) will increase outreach efforts.Brochures at Library, Police, City Hall, Community Center, CSA, Senior Center, Work Center, CHAC, CAA, schools, local churches and coffee shops Messages for social media (Nextdoor Neighbor; CNC)Updates website: mountainview.gov/rentstabilizationMailings: landlords/tenants CSFRA in effect, rent increase announcement.2.Community participation in educational and public input meetings: organize ongoing workshops, walk-in clinics and consultations in centers where residents already gather for other activities (city hall, CSA, senior center, school PTAs, community center), and a Rental Housing helpline (phone, email and walk-in).Scheduled workshops:May 15, 2017 & May 25, 2017 6-8 pmTenant WorkshopsMay 16, 2017 10-12 noon & May 22, 2017 6-8 pmLandlord WorkshopsWalk-in Clinics:Once a week (Thursdays) City Hall Once a week CSA/Community CenterOnce a month (4th Tuesday of month) MV Senior centerConsultations:Mo-Fr 9am-4pm at Project Sentinel (email, phone, walk-in)3.Resources: Provide online availability of template notices/letters for use by tenants and landlords as well as an online property information tool for research into “year built” of multi-family apartments. Create a list of organizations providing legal resources.Templates: Base Rent letterOnline tool: Address look-up to determine if rental unit is subject to the CSFRALegal Help: List of organizations on website

4.Language remains a barrier to effective communication. Providing outreach materialsin Spanish and Mandarin is a priority. Outreach meetings can be staffed with Spanish and Mandarin translators. Materials can be translated into these languages.To date letters, flyers and templates have been translated in Spanish and Mandarin.Translators will be present at scheduled workshops.Case Manager for clinics and consultation speaks Spanish.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Approve the ongoing Community Outreach activities and/or provide further direction to staff to implement additional/different outreach efforts.


Last updated on 7/1/2017