Item 25 - First Amendment to Agreement with RSG, Inc.

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First Amendment to Agreement with RSG, Inc. September 6, 2022 Page 2 2 9 4 2 These two ordinances became effective November 19, 2021. The City’s RSO limits rent increases to a maximum of 3%, or 80% of Consumer Price Index, whichever is less, per year for certain residential rental units and mobilehome spaces in the City. The City’s JCEO provides “just cause” eviction protections for most tenants that continuously and lawfully occupy a residential real property or mobilehome space for at least 30 days. The JCEO also defines what causes are allowable for a landlord to seek eviction of a tenant. Following the City Council actions on September 21, 2021 and October 19, 2021, staff executed an Agreement with RSG, Inc. (“RSG”) on October 28, 2021 for a one-year term in a total amount not to exceed $300,000 to administer the City’s Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinances, to further study the additional regulatory framework and infrastructure, and to provide general consulting services. As part of the initial and general implementation of the City’s Ordinances, RSG has been providing the following services: •Creation and dissemination of informational materials. •Development and coordination of webinars for landlords and tenants. •Creation of landlord to tenant required notices in multiple languages. •Responding to general public information inquiries. •Coordination of on-site meetings with residents regarding RSO and JCEO questions. •Referrals for tenant legal matters and interpretation questions to community legal aid organizations, as needed. •Creation of the Fair Return Petition application and review process. •Review of Fair Return Petitions. •Outreach and education including periodically mailed communication, workshops, and website updates. •Creation and continued revisions to the Frequently Asked Questions document available on the City’s website. •Development of training materials for new City staff. •Resident referrals to other City departments for assistance with emergency housing needs. As of July 2022, RSG has assisted over 2,500 tenants and landlords since the two Ordinances were adopted. Flyers, frequently asked questions, and press releases have been circulated to the community. The City also regularly updates a website devoted to the ordinances, which includes related documents and announcements (www.santa- ana.org/renterprotections). During the contract period, staff and RSG fielded calls from the public and provided information and education to renters and landlords on the City’s RSO and JCEO. A breakdown of the number of inquiries is as follows: Month # of Inquiries October 2021 34 November 2021 231 December 2021 215