As municipalities around us pass sustainable rent caps to prevent displacement and keep tenants housed, Burbank had the opportunity last night to join them. Tenants turned out in record numbers sharing their stories of harassment, unfair evictions, unaffordability, and homelessness. After years of outreach and studies showing overwhelming support by Burbank’s tenant majority, Council ultimately abandoned a hard rent cap. What passed 3-1, with Councilmember Mullins once again the sole no vote on tenant protections, was codified cash for keys. Corporate landlords will still be free to raise rents unsustainably, displacing tenants and paying what amounts to a nominal penalty as they continue contributing to homelessness. We are grateful for Council’s vote to move forward with crucial eviction protections, including universal just cause and almost removing (further restricting) the renoviction loophole.
Landlords showed they were clearly organized and fueled by the $35,000 in donations (our rent money) to their PAC, despite it all, tenants had their biggest turn out yet. Resulting in the longest held city council meeting in recent history. Tuesday’s attendance showed the growing power happening on both sides; one of money and one of people. The opposition to tenant protections made up of mostly landlords, reflected a nearly homogenous group while tenants showed a diversity that truly reflects the people who live in Burbank. Tenants and allies supportive of tenant protections included business owners, high school and college students, landlords, activists, waste warriors, parents, folks in entertainment, and home owners across the city.
Tensions were high during the meeting with the opposing landlords furiously waving their uniformed flyers after every pro tenant protections comment. The writing on those flyers implying tenants do not pay taxes, only those who own property. Some tenants were even asked, “Who paid you to be here?” A clear irony as AAGLA, the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles reps were visibly present during this meeting. As the opposition to tenant protections vilified our neighbors by implying the only people who want a sustainable rent cap are those who are “bused in”. They claimed they followed 6/7 people after a city council meeting and saw those individuals get off at Tujunga (when confronted by tenants about this they were unable to go into further detail and said maybe it was some other org who was behind it). Another irony as the opposing landlords at the meeting were from all over socal with one landlord saying they wanted to beat Dodger’s traffic. It made tenants, who have been organizing under Burbank Tenants Union for nearly 3 years and have less than $1000 dollars in their bank account, wonder how they could afford to have a bus to transport paid actors. That the less than $1000 collected from dues paying members could be compared to $35000 raised in a short few months from landlords using our rent money. Rent money that allowed the opposing landlords to buy coffee and snacks with buttons saying, “Don’t LA/Venezuela my Burbank” on a table within city hall (another irony since a landlord proudly wore a LA Dodger’s tie during the meeting). The entitlement and space they take up reflected by the trash they left in their wake.
The fight continues, and it’s up to you to keep pressure on City Council to let them know that although they came through on some protections, tenants deserve better. Join your neighbors during their weekly meetings, with November’s in-person meetings being the second and third Thursday at Geeky Teas. Stay up-to-date by signing up to our mailing list https://www.burbanktenants.com/support-us
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