South San Francisco tenant protection initiatives build momentum: More anti-displacement initiatives underway for lower-earning

According to a recent report published by the city, the shift from industrial to biotechnology jobs in South City is also correlated with the median gross rent increasing by 80% between 2012-22.

Much of the biotech and industrial presence has been focused within the eastern edge of the city, along the Bay, however, the land is getting smaller and more populated with life science firms, Tony Rozzi, deputy director of Economic and Community Development, said during the Planning Commission meeting April 16. 

“At the same time, all the former industrial land has started to shrink, so we’ve been trading a lot of that industrial land and industrial jobs that fit a lot of the qualifications and professional interest of current residents for new life science [research and development] which is not necessarily creating jobs that are going to local residents,” Rozzi said.

South City isn’t the only jurisdiction dealing with housing affordability challenges, however, it’s made a concerted effort to ramp up tenant protection policies to stem potential displacement.

Last year, the city passed an ordinance that requires preference for current or previous city residents in affordable housing applications, and it also passed a mandate that property owners of mobile home parks and single-resident occupancy hotels provide residents with six months worth of rent, in addition to other benefits, if they sell, convert or demolish their units. 

The city also maintains an emergency rental assistance program and, just earlier this month, South City increased its relocation assistance policy for tenants who must vacate substandard housing units, mandating higher payments when they must relocate and restructuring payments to an upfront rather than reimbursement-based model.

The city created an Anti-Displacement Community Advisory Committee in hopes of identifying other tenant protection-related programs as well. 

The city is also working to potentially implement a rental inspection program, as well as a teacher housing project with the South San Francisco Unified School District.

“You could prevent displacement if you manage some issues earlier on, and San Mateo County provides a rental inspection program that cities can pay to be a part of. That’s something we’re going to evaluate,” Rozzi said. 

The efforts also include local businesses, including a business coaching and a pilot program, called Launch Local, which was approved last year and offers short-term leases on some city-owned storefront properties, as well as up to $10,000 in tenant improvements.

Commissioners were supportive of the anti-displacement efforts to date, highlighting some future initiatives such as the rental inspection program. 

“If you have things where you can get ahead of potential problems, as long as the cost factor is not too much — and I’m sure the fee from the county could be absorbed — I’d pursue that,” Commissioner Norman Faria said during the meeting.