HomeMy WebLinkAboutHomelessness and Housing Subcommittee 2025-10-21 Minuteshpl RAFq� MINUTES
►1, Housing & Homelessness Subcommittee
October 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
i z City Hall, Third Floor Conference Room
F 41 1400 Fifth Avenue,
I T H P �\`' San Rafael, CA 94901
Watch Online
Webinar: https://cityofsanrafaeI-org.zoom.us/j/84566869826
Phone: (669)-444-9771
ID:84566869827
1. Call to Order
Time called to order: 11:00am
Present: Mayor Kate Colin, Councilmember Rachel Kurtz
Staff Present: Micah Hinkle, John Stefanski Daniel Cooperman (staff liaison), Angela
Robinson Pinon, Greg Minor, Alexis Captanian, Daniel Cooperman, Andrea
Visveshwara.
2. Open Time for Public Expression
a. None.
3. Reports/Action Items
a. Existing Tenant Protections in San Rafael
• Staff gave a presentation relating to analysis and recommendations
regarding existing City of San Rafael policies including Cause
Required for Eviction, Relocation Assistance, and Mandatory
Mediation.
The Mayor expressed support for a Spanish language requirement
and requested that program costs be included in the staff report.
The Mayor emphasized evaluating return on investment and
reallocating resources as needed. The subcommittee did not
oppose the recommendations but did not provide specific feedback
on time extensions, alternative provider models, or landlord
outreach.
Councilmember Kertz asked about District Attorney capacity,
landlord retaliation, and data collection approaches, including the
potential value of a rental registry.
The subcommittee expressed strong interest in a County -led rental
registry. The Mayor requested analysis of potential ABAG
discretionary funding and MTC TOC implications. Most relocation
assistance cases to date were associated with 400 Canal.
Discussion included monitoring potential changes to the State rent
cap, eviction noticing requirements, and administrative costs.
The subcommittee supported exploring strengthened citywide
protections for vulnerable populations, longer noticing periods for
Ellis Act evictions, supplemental relocation assistance payments,
and clearer habitability standards. The Mayor emphasized the need
for robust stakeholder engagement before adopting a single
citywide policy. Councilmember Kertz expressed interest in
expanding older adult homelessness prevention efforts beyond the
Overlay Zone.
b. Rooted in Marin: Strategies for Anti -Displacement
• Staff gave a on the 2025 report, Rooted in Marin: Strategies for Anti -
Displacement, a collaboration between the Cities and Towns and
the County of Marin.
Councilmember Kertz requested survey data specific to older adults
and asked whether a rental registry could be implemented through a
phased approach. Additional questions included whether a right -to -
return policy would guarantee return at the same rent, whether any
Bay Area jurisdictions have adopted Right to Counsel, whether the
Home Match model is under consideration, and what criteria would
guide policy prioritization.
The Mayor referenced prior City and County exploration of
COPA/TOPA and questioned the return on investment and the
County's current position. The Mayor noted that such policies could
help strengthen Community Land Trusts. Additional comments
included exploring a regional pool of attorneys, potential
incorporation of triple damages as a remedy to attract private
counsel, alignment with the City's adopted workplan, the role of
Section 8, and the importance of Countywide policy alignment. The
Mayor also noted that Novato is considering just cause protections
that include anti -harassment measures and a right to return at the
same rent plus allowable State increases.
Public Comment
Staff from Community Action Marin (CAM) reported significant
countywide interest in habitability and rent stabilization. Canal
Alliance emphasized concerns regarding habitability and fear of
retaliation.
2. Legal Aid of Marin (LAM) noted concerns about eviction following
renovation as a potential retaliatory response to code enforcement
complaints and underscored the importance of a right -to -return
policy.
a. ERF3, Homelessness, and Sanctioned Camping Area Update
Staff gave a presentation on Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF)3
and the City's efforts related to homelessness, camping ordinance,
enforcement, and interim shelter.
4. Adjournment
Staff provided an update on the Sanctioned Camping Area (SCA),
reporting that 24% of individuals who resided on the path prior to the
program's opening have since been housed. Additionally, 12% of
current SCA residents have exited to housing, 74% are on an
identified housing pathway, and 54% have increased their income.
Staff also provided updates regarding impacts related to the closure
of Downtown Streets and noted the need for expanded outreach
efforts citywide. A brief update was given on community
engagement efforts for the proposed interim shelter at 350
Merrydale. The subcommittee also received an overview of the
City's encampment management policy, including clarification that
encampments located on Caltrans property are managed by the
State.
Staff responded to Councilmember Kertz's question regarding
potential nonprofit replacements for Downtown Streets Team (DST)
services, noting that there is no direct one -for -one replacement for
DST services currently operating in Marin County. The Mayor
requested that national averages for housing placements among
unsheltered individuals be posted for comparison to San Rafael's
outcomes. The Mayor also inquired about enforcement of the
camping ordinance; staff clarified that a third -party contractor
conducts cleaning, while the San Rafael Police Department (SRPD)
handles enforcement.
The subcommittee received public comment from resident Greg
Andrew, who asked: (1) whether negotiations on the 350 Merrydale
property have been completed; (2) what commitments have been
made; (3) when and in what forum the City Council has made
decisions regarding 350 Merrydale; and (4) how and by whom the
project budget was adopted. The subcommittee referred the
questions to staff, who indicated responses would be provided and
posted to the City's 350 Merrydale FAQ page.
Approved this 19th day of February 2026
Daniel Cooperman, Staff Liaison