5 minute read
President’s Message
Lucinda Lilley
As I write this, we are preparing for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors’ second reading of an ordinance that would halt all evictions and termination of tenancies and limit even further our right to increase rent. For those of you who were involved with the first reading of the ordinance, I am sure that you were as disheartened as I was. For hours, we listened to callers as they hurled insults at us housing providers. We heard threats and we heard “quid pro quo” from callers demanding the ordinance be approved. We were told to get “real jobs.” Some of us who registered to speak were never called upon. The callers in favor of the ordinance outnumbered those of us in opposition by a huge majority.
The ordinance is a canned piece of legislation provided by tenant’s rights advocates, which is why it is one sided. Of course, its supporters were ready. Proponents and Supervisor Vargas docketed the ordinance last minute as an urgency ordinance on a holiday weekend to hopefully prevent major turn out from housing providers. This is San Diego’s new political climate where elected representatives no longer listen to both sides and work toward compromise. Our team at the SCRHA worked ALL weekend to analyze and mobilize. Molly Kirkland, Director of Public Affairs worked around the clock that weekend to assure that San Diego professional and trade organizations were aware of the effort. She issued Calls to Action to gain industry involvement. She gained support from the area Realtors, IREM San Diego, CCIM, and more. Molly and Alan Pentico, Executive Director, advised our Executive Committee throughout the weekend as they crafted our position and Calls to Action. And our Executive Committee responded in support. Our membership often asks, “How does SCRHA decide what to do in these situations?” I am happy to answer that question.
As a volunteer for many years with this organization, and especially now as its President, here is what I know:
1. The SCRHA is careful in our messaging to assure we are representing our membership as community partners – housing providers. Landlords have been the pundits of jokes for centuries, as it only takes one bad apple to spoil it for all of us. So, we do not react and reply rashly as we have seen others do. It only makes it worse. Instead, we take great care in stating our position to present the industry in the best way possible -We are housing providers, evictions are not a business model.
2.The SCRHA IS known as a “go to” for information concerning legislation that will affect our members, for members and elected representatives alike. Molly Kirkland, Director of Public Affairs, and our Executive Director, Alan Pentico, spend hours analyzing and consulting those who represent us. Building our reputation as the rental housing industry leaders has taken time. In many ways it has paid off, as SCRHA has a reputation for being problem solvers. However, in these extraordinary times, it is easy for politicians to choose public opinion.
3. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors remains at the ready to support and advise our staff in representation of our membership. We listen to our team present the options available, provide feedback, and support our staff and our membership as they work on our behalf toward our goals.
4. The Board of Directors consists of rental property owners, rental property managers, and rental property suppliers just like you. We are very concerned, and we are actively working to protect you all the time. The Board makes sure staff has the resources needed to carry out our goals.
5. The SCRHA (and the industry in general) doesn’t brag on ourselves enough - sharing what we HAVE done for the industry and community. We all are unsung heroes, if you will, especially the team at SCRHA, who regularly finishes one issue to find themselves pivoting to another. We encourage all members share how they have supported our community and neighbors.
6. The SCRHA has offered our support to educate renters and housing providers alike to avoid the introduction of unnecessary legislation. We will continue to make outreach to educate the community as a whole as the laws for residents are the same as the laws for owners and managers. changed during the pandemic as the public now has more access to public hearings. It is likely virtual options are here to stay. Grassroots participation from housing providers is now more important than ever and vital if we are going to counter false narratives. Even if you do not have time to meet with your elected leaders, please explain to your
neighbors and friends why housing providers and businesses that support providers are so
important to the community at-large. If you need some talking points, join our discussions and we will help you!
Thank you for your membership and engagement with us in your role as a rental housing provider. Please visit the SCRHA website, socalrha.org or email the SCRHA at info@socalrha.org if you have an experience to share and would like to join others in meeting with your elected officials. Your voice, your message is too important not to be shared.
At the SCRHA, we educate our industry so that we all have the right information to manage their properties and their residents with respect and care, lawfully. We know pointing fingers is not productive, lawsuits are not the answer to everything – otherwise you would see 180 affiliates around the nation file them, and we strive to Do The Right Thing.
How You Can Help With the SCRHA, you are not alone. We are your guide and support for education, operational advice, and forms. We are your voice in advocacy at the local, state, and national arenas. Our message grows stronger each time an email is sent, a phone call is made, or when our members meet with an elected or government
representative. Be engaged with us!
SCRHA and your elected representatives want
to listen to your personal struggles coping with eviction moratoriums, about the challenges within the present system and difficulties maintaining your properties under the circumstances. To better represent you, the SCRHA needs your voice in telling your elected representatives how their decisions affect you and your residents. We can set the meeting, but they need to hear it from you directly. Local government advocacy has
2022 Board of Directors Call for Nominations
Southern California Rental Housing Association Board of Directors
The Southern California Rental Housing Association is accepting applications from eligible members interested in serving on the Board of Directors. Each nominee must be a member in good standing, demonstrate knowledge at the state and/or local level or have relevant experience within your company.
Email Alan Pentico at apentico@socalrha.org with Southern California Board of Directors Application Request on the subject line, to receive an application. This email should be received no later than June 30, 2021.
