Berkeley Tenant Convention

Berkeley is one of only two cities in the United States with an autonomous body overseeing rent-controlled housing, separate and distinct from city government. The Berkeley Rent Board is this unique entity, composed of nine elected officials for two-year terms.

The Rent Board administers and protects rent-stabilized housing; enacts regulations to support and expand this housing; mediates disputes between tenants and landlords; and sets the ceiling for annual rent increases. This November, five seats on the Rent Board will be vacated.

Last week, the Berkeley Tenants Union (BTU) kicked off their semi-annual tenant convention, which will conclude on July 15 — once all votes are counted — with a pro-tenant slate for the Rent Board. Historically, this is how the progressive tenant-centered slate of candidates is vetted.

In a city with over 60 percent renters, tenant conventions are critical in galvanizing and educating our city’s residents. Neighborhood tenant conventions have proved an effective recruitment and mobilizing tool to get out the vote and educate the masses on the people running and their allegiances.

At the BTU convention, each of six Rent Board candidates presented their platform and answered questions from community organizations. The candidates who participate in the convention commit to preserving rent-controlled housing and upholding the rights of tenants with supportive legislation.

This year’s candidates are our very own Negeene Mosaed, Ida Martinac, Soli Alpert, Vanessa Marrero, Sylvia Chapman and Della Moran. Once the slate is finalized, this group will work together to win seats on the Rent Board in the November general election.

The vetting process began weeks ago with a lengthy written questionnaire, followed by an interview process, where each candidate was rated. BTU invited the following local organizations to participate: Friends of Adeline, Berkeley Citizens Action, Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, Gray Panthers, Green Party, Healthy Black Families, Young Democratic Socialists of America at UC Berkeley, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Our Revolution East Bay, SEIU 1021, Center for Independent Living and New Berkeley Progressive Alliance. To access all of this information and more, go to www.berkeleytenantsconvention.net.

We encourage everyone who lives in Berkeley who is over the age of 13 to vote in the tenant convention. Ballots must be requested by July 11 and votes must be submitted by July 15. To request your ballot, go to bit.ly/2022BallotRequest.

Together, we can ensure our community survives and our democracy flourishes!