AB1620 allows a person with disabilities to move from a second-floor unit to a first-floor unit. The idea was something I brought forward in my run for city council in 2015. WEHOville wrote about it here.
When the item was first presented to the West Hollywood Rent Stabilization board, it was thought an impossible feat to force landlords to absorb the extra cost.
West Hollywood resident Yola Dore was my inspiration in bringing this item to the public realm. Yola would have to park her walker and climb more 19 uneven steps to her rent-controlled unit..
Council members Shyne and Erickson picked up the idea and made a recommendation to move this item forward. Assemblyman Rick Zbur sheparded the item to completion.
A copy of the bill is below:
AB 1620, Zbur. Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act: permanent disabilities: comparable or smaller units. The Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act authorizes an owner of residential real property to establish the initial and subsequent rental rates for a dwelling or unit with respect to which certain criteria are met, including that the dwelling or unit is alienable separate from the title to any other dwelling unit or is a subdivided interest in a subdivision, as specified. The act exempts certain tenancies and dwelling units from these provisions, including a unit where the previous tenancy has been terminated by the owner pursuant to specified law. This bill would authorize a jurisdiction to require the owner of residential real property that is subject to an ordinance or charter provision that controls the rental rate to permit a tenant who is not subject to eviction for nonpayment and who has a permanent physical disability related to mobility to move to an available comparable or smaller unit, as defined, located on an accessible floor of the property if certain conditions are met. The bill would require an owner who grants a request pursuant to these provisions to allow the tenant to retain their lease at the same rental rate and terms of the existing lease if certain conditions are met, including, among others, the move is determined to be necessary to accommodate the tenant’s disability related to mobility and the new dwelling or unit is in the same building or on the same parcel with at least four other units.
[…] After Sepi Shyne was elected in 2020, she told me she was going to move on this item. Shyne and Erickson then brought this item forward, and with Assemblymember Zbur’s office, advanced AB 1620. What was once a pipedream on Norton Ave., feeling sorry for this old lady, is now a reality. This year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1620 into law. “The Yola Dore” bill, as I named it, is now the law of the state. https://wehoonline.com/2023/10/12/governor-newsom-signs-ab1620-yola-dore-bill/ […]
Having searched the internet using two search engines, only Mr Block’s article here states that the governor signed this bill.
Hard to put faith in it, when I cannot find any proof anywhere else, including the governor’s website.
Anybody?
Governor Newsom Signs Assemblymember Zbur’s Bill to Increase Housing Security for Tenants with Physical Disabilities SACRAMENTO, CA — Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) announced today that Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 1620, his bill to increase housing security for tenants with permanent disabilities related to mobility, who are at higher risk of homelessness. This bill is one of several in Assemblymember Zbur’s inaugural housing bill package that responds to the state’s ongoing crisis around housing and homelessness. “This bill has a narrow focus but will make a real difference in the lives of so many people,” said Assemblymember… Read more »
Excellent!
Thank you.
It’s great news.
For some reason, I cannot find anything anywhere that say Newsom signed AB1620. And he signed hundreds of bills.
Can you add a citation. please?
Congratulations Larry, on your wonderful idea becoming a reality!
I hope this will lessen some of the difficulties experienced by people living with disabilities!
it’s nice to see that there are people who try to make our lives a little easier. Sadly, there are those, who are supposed to be helping us, who are making our lives more difficult by putting obstacles in our paths!
Very cool! What a beautiful legacy ❤️
This seems long overdue and very reasonable to protect disabled people. I would however, hope it could be directed to help those who became disabled through no fault of their own. That is, if one of our meth addicts became disabled due to their drug addiction, they shouldn’t be rewarded with protection for their bad and illegal behaviors. Yes, I understand it would take a lot more thought to figure out who is deserving, and who isn’t deserving.
Oh please. You’d rather increase the rent 2000% on all these people rather than help them.
You mean to say I believe everyone should be paying fair market rent. But one has to love the freeloaders and gays in Weho. They want the government out of the bedroom, not directing who we decide to live or sleep with, but you are very quick to invite the government to take over lives by getting into the rent control business and controlling private property and real estate. The hypocrisy never ends.
Maybe if it was a Veteran who became a Meth Addict you would want to blame he or she for their addiction? Yes blaming people does take a lot of thought under your scenario.
There are lots of veterans who are not, or never became a meth addict. I get it, you want to reward the irresponsible ones who became drug addicts. Problems people bring on upon themselves, with some exceptions, should not be rewarded or granted extra privileges. Try again.
this is wonderful news for disabled tenants!