To: Dear Mayor Ezzy-Ashcraft, Vice Mayor Knox-White, and Councilmembers Vella, Oddie, and Daysog,

We are Alameda renters who have been impacted by code violations in our rental units, including issues with mold, nuisance, construction, structural problems, rodents, and smoking. Many of us have taken action to address these conditions after our landlords and property managers failed to respond adequately to our reports. We have frequently faced a lack of support and follow-through from code enforcement while simultaneously dealing with issues that not only violate city and state law but also affect our health, habitability, and quiet enjoyment of our homes.  

Our living situations began long before and continued after the 2019 enactment of rent control and just cause in Alameda. Due to the severity of some of our circumstances, a possible outcome for some of us may be displacement from our homes and communities in Alameda if there is not adequate enforcement of the laws meant to protect us.  

During the November 19 City Council meeting, City Council approved a referral introduced by Councilmember Malia Vella to move building inspections into a new unit for universal code enforcement. This would create a division that would give Alameda tenants an actual person to call when an issue arises, especially for residential tenants in mixed-used buildings and those living near commercial areas. This would also allow the council to give direction to staff to enforce codes and create a way to actually do so. Part of the referral includes having an alternate work schedule of Friday to Monday from 12 PM to 10 PM so a city staff member could conduct enforcement activities after hours for construction, noise ordinance, construction permits, and Alameda’s no-smoking ordinance. Such an ordinance, if passed, would benefit our health, living conditions, and overall well-being.   

We urge you to take action on instituting universal code enforcement that includes the specific provisions outlined in this petition. Any dilution of universal code enforcement would undermine badly-needed services that would ensure the wellness of renters and the overall Alameda community.