The case for eviction protections now

In April, the group asked the San Mateo City Council to approve five straightforward policies designed to keep families housed. They shared their stories, presented solid data, and made a strong case for basic dignity and stability. The council listened politely but declined to adopt any proposals, except for a small $150,000 annual investment in rent relief, which was helpful but an insufficient and incomplete response.

According to a report by the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County, renters in San Mateo County need to earn $63.81 per hour — 3.7 times the current minimum wage — to afford a two-bedroom apartment at $3,318, and pay for all other life needs. It’s no surprise that the 2024 San Mateo County Point-In-Time count shows homelessness has risen from 1,808 to 2,130 people — over 17%. Of those surveyed, 59% are experiencing homelessness for the first time.

Recent federal actions, like the poorly-named One Big Beautiful Bill, have worsened the situation for vulnerable communities, particularly Latino families in San Mateo. Our community needs local leadership to step up now.

The City Council should recognize this unfortunate reality and improve its April decision. There is no shame in changing a position based on new information. While the $150,000 investment is a start, short-term interventions cannot solve the housing crisis. We need long-term, sustainable policies that these eviction protections offer. The eviction protections proposed included the following: Increase in relocation assistance above the one month now required by state law; a prohibition on no-fault evictions during the school year; a tenant right to return after a substantial remodel; requiring a just cause for eviction starting on the first day of tenancy, instead of year two; and a rental registry to create data about current realities in the rental market.

The organizers deliberately chose Veterans Day for the rally. Veterans are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity and homelessness. On a day when we honor those who served, we must ask: How do we honor that service? Ensuring everyone, including veterans, has a secure home is part of the answer.

I strongly urge the City Council to muster the political will to protect our most vulnerable neighbors. The five policies proposed in April were modest, achievable, and grounded in basic fairness. They are aimed for greater transparency and accountability in the way evictions are conducted in San Mateo.

This is about human dignity, stability for families, fairness and neighbors living without constant fear of displacement. These are not radical ideas; they are fundamentally American values — and on Veterans Day especially, they are worth fighting for.

The reality has evolved since April. The question for our City Council is simple: Will you evolve too?

Rick Bonilla is the former mayor of San Mateo.