Alhambra Moves Forward on Tenants Rights

GUEST OPINION – PART 1

Alhambra housing crisis (Photo – ColoradoBlvd.net)

Alhambra’s past, present, and future recently were up for debate.

By Alborz Mohtashami

On Monday, February 23^rd, the City Council approved an exploratory study to provide displacement assistance for tenants affected by new housing developments.

As California faces a statewide housing shortage, cities are under pressure to add housing within already built-out environments. To meet housing needs, cities will increasingly turn to building vertically where tenants already reside, known as infill development. How we look after our current neighbors will be more important as we consider how best to accommodate future generations with abundant and affordable housing options.

Providing tenant assistance for those displaced by new housing could result in an ordinance supplementing the State’s Tenant Protection Act, which requires only one month’s assistance. Cities like Pasadena and Los Angeles have taken steps to bolster their supports. Now, Alhambra has signaled its willingness to follow suit, with an eye to keeping housing costs low while doing so. The City Council directed City staff to explore financing tenant relocation assistance through the City’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and Measure A funds, rather than increased costs to builders, renters, and homebuyers.

Tenants’ rights were not, however, the only item up for discussion. The City Council debated further regulating multi-story, multi-family housing in proximity to single-family residential properties. This proposal could have had legal ramifications for the City, and evidenced a longstanding bias towards sprawling single-family neighborhoods.

The City’s zoning plan and housing element are based on objective standards of feasibility with respect to the environment, health, and safety. Going beyond these standards and denying housing based on subjective norms goes against the State’s Housing Accountability Act.

The City Council, wisely, did not proceed with this segment of the agenda item. Multi-family homes bring residents close to work, amenities, and public transit. This stimulates economic activity that benefits small business owners, reduces travel times while lowering emissions, and creates community through shared experiences. Furthermore, if we want to adequately provide housing and homeownership options for generations to come, multi-family developments will be an essential part of the toolkit.

It’s important to take care of our neighbors and locally operated businesses while encouraging urban development. Putting safeguards in place so that existing tenants are treated fairly is not only the compassionate thing to do for the affected individuals, but also the rational thing to do for any city that wants to maintain the vibrancy that makes it so special.

It’s refreshing to see Alhambra’s City Council take stances that enable the city to grow by continuing to allow multi-story, multi-family buildings near its most popular corridors. It did this while working to ensure current residents aren’t left behind; rather, they are seen as invaluable contributors to the City’s fabric.

Alborz Mohtashami is an Alhambra resident, music lover, coffee enthusiast, library browser, and urbanism advocate. He is the co-chair of Alhambra Urbanists, a local chapter of Abundant Housing LA.