Emeryville meeting spotlights tenant protections and residents’ eviction claims as housing committee outlines 2026 priorities

A long public discussion of evictions, rent increases and tenant protections dominated the Emeryville City Council meeting after the Housing Committee presented its 2026 priorities, which include completing a landlord‑tenant ordinance update, strengthening just‑cause eviction standards for below‑market‑rate (BMR) units, and updating relocation-assistance rules.

Valerie Bernardo, housing committee secretary, said the committee’s top priority for 2026 is completing tenant‑protection updates that will include tenants’ right to organize, changes to just‑cause and no‑fault evictions, additional relocation assistance and anti‑harassment measures. She said the city has secured a grant to support consultant work on these updates and hopes to bring finished proposals to the council this summer.

During an extensive public‑comment period, several speakers described concrete problems facing tenants in Emeryville. One resident described repeatedly submitting required BMR renewal paperwork, not having it accepted by the property manager, receiving a small rent increase and then an unlawful‑detainer filing. The speaker said the landlord’s tenant portal was sometimes disabled, that electronic lock/portal issues could cause lockouts from units, and that landlords sometimes delay or deny paperwork in ways that escalate to eviction.

Council Member Prior, who said during his remarks that he personally filed required documents and is currently experiencing an eviction action at his BMR unit, amplified these concerns and described how fee structures and unbundled parking charges can produce sudden, unaffordable increases. He urged stronger tenant assistance and oversight of large property managers; housing staff and the committee responded that the city’s tenant‑protection work is ongoing and scheduled for this summer and that additional legal review will be required for changes that may conflict with state law.

Housing Committee members and staff noted other 2026 priorities: updates to the city’s below‑market‑rate program, a possible 4,300 San Pablo affordable‑housing project, an ADU incentive program, tenant re‑certification guidelines, and surveying artists’ housing needs.

Staff said changes to the tenant-protection ordinance may be limited by state law and by the scope of the consultant contract; adding new tasks could delay completion and raise costs. Staff also recommended strengthening outreach and technical assistance for tenants, and said they would explore whether permit/fee waivers or targeted technical assistance for grant recipients (such as historic‑society events) are feasible and lawful.

Next steps: Housing staff confirmed the tenant‑protection updates are scheduled for return to council this summer; councilmembers and public commenters asked for clearer tenant guidance on eviction deadlines and for stronger oversight of property managers’ portals and fee practices.