NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — National City tenants mobilized and rallied outside city council chambers Tuesday, calling on city leaders to consider passing protections for renters.
They were joined by the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment to send a clear message.
“If you are on social security or any disability, you cannot stretch that check,” said Victor Valle.
Renters claim they’re dealing with harassment or poor treatment from landlords, no fault evictions and consistent annual increases in the cost of rent. They want city leaders to consider a cap that would go beyond the 10% limit outlined in state law.
“What we are thinking about right now in National City is a 3% rent cap or inflation whichever is lower, but we are also even talking about lower than that. Because people are getting pushed out,” said Izadora Lopez McGawley, ACCE field organizer.
While nothing is formally on the table for council to consider yet, councilmember Jose Rodriguez has been supportive of ACCE’s efforts in the community. He believes a 5% cap is reasonable.
“Especially when we have 70% of our population that are renters and that we have only built almost exclusively apartment complexes in the last 10 years,” said Rodriguez.
This was the second time the group organized at city hall and they say it will not be the last, promising to continue the fight until the item is agendized.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
