Beginning on December 21, 2011, Merced will be the first city in the Central Valley to impose an anti-eviction law known as the Just Cause for Eviction ordinance. Despite fierce opposition from realtors and those concerned about the impact on neighborhood revitalization, the council voted in favor of the law on a 5-2 vote. Mayor Bill Spriggs and Councilwoman Michele Gabriault-Acosta voted against the proposal. Merced reportedly ranks in the top 10 for foreclosure activity and the law will offer more protection to tenants when it comes to eviction. Groups like Tenants Together, Occupy Merced, Journey for Justice, and UC Merced were among those who voiced support for the ordinance. These supporters contend that that ordinance will stabilize the city’s housing market and will lay out more concrete guidelines on when an eviction is permissible. Dean Preston, the Executive Director of Tenants Together, wrote an op-ed about the law’s passage and below is an excerpt:
“The new law is a game changer for Merced tenants and the entire community. Under the new law, tenants will be able to stay in their homes, rather than being callously tossed into the street by banks that care nothing about creating unnecessary homelessness, vacancy and blight. Tenants Together congratulates our Merced members and allies on this important victory.”
Read the full op-ed here. Opponents of the law argue that it could increase litigation and that revitalization efforts will be put in jeopardy. ABC News filed the following report about the ordinance prior to its official passage:
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