04/23/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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that both approaches try to get at the same problem of displacement. ~ IL ife tenancy does dupl icate many of the provi sions already developed to _ 'mitigate di spl acement. IMr. Delay asked whether there would be the same liability in the courts and legislature if life tenancy were offered to a very small class of 'people, as compared to a broader group. Mr. Long replied that even if something is legally sound, the City could still be sued. The stricter the measures, the greater the probability of litigation. Ms. Schue wondered about granting life tenancy to a narrowly defined group for a one-time situation. Mr. Croteau said staff would have the same concerns. Everything done by the task force includes measures to mitiqate the trauma and life tenancy is not needed. Mr. Long replied the question is the same whether applied to a broad or narrow group. Either the City has the authority to impose rules or it does not. The probabilities of a fight could be lessened by limiting life tenancy to present displaced tenants. Ms. Schue asked if rent control would be needed with a more limited life tenancy provision. Mr. Croteau said it would have to be a part of life tenancy so the tenants are not priced out of their unit. Every life tenancy provision that they saw had rent control provisions. Mr. Lieuallen challenged the argument that rent control was needed. He was not willinq to say rent control and life tenancy were inseparable. Mr. Croteau reviewed the ordinances in California that provided life tenancy. After two or three years, the cities in California had gone back and rewritten ~ their ordinances. They instituted life tenancy. However, these ordinances . are so recent there are no observations on their workability. Mr. Long replied that rents are presently set by the marketplace. There is evidence in State Legislature studies that landlords do retaliate. In this case, there is direct economic gain to the landlord if he/she were to use such practices. A good life tenancy will need rent control. Mr. Lieuallen said it is not clear cut that a converter would want to remove any persons with life tenancy. Mr. lieuallen asked why life tenancy would require high administrative costs. Mr. Croteau felt this would be the only way to do a good job in looking after those people. Mr. Lieuallen felt the people living under life tenancy would be cognizant of their rights and would not need to have it monitored. Mr. Lieuallen said he favored life tenancy and did not want administrative costs used as a roadblock. Mr. lieuallen asked Robin Johnson, HCC, about the situation at Willamette 'Tower. He noted that there were five people who had difficulty in finding housing. Ms. Johnson replied that the housing facilitator had responsi- bility for 12 people. There were six originally who could not find comparable housing. By April 1 there were two, and they have the right to stay until July while the housing facilitator works with them. One was a case with a wheelchair. It seemed to be a workable process. e 4/23/80--6