MOUNTAIN VIEW RENTAL HOUSING MEDIATION - A GRASS ROOTS PROGRAM

• NCJ Number: 69080
• Journal: URBAN LAW ANNUAL Volume: 17 Dated: (1979) Pages: 271-278
• Author(s): J V WARMAN
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, RENTAL HOUSING MEDIATION PROGRAM IS DISCUSSED; PROGRAM NEED, STAFF TRAINING, METHODS OF EVALUATION, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND BUDGET ARE EMPHASIZED.

Abstract

IN THE SPECIALIZED AREA OF RESOLUTION OF HOUSING-RELATED DISPUTES, THE CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW PROVIDES ITS CITIZENS WITH AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE COURT SYSTEM. LIKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD JUSTICE CENTER, THE PROGRAM SEEKS TO EFFECTIVELY PROVIDE FAIR RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES WHILE AVOIDING THE COURTS' EXPENSIVE AND BACKLOGGED SYSTEM. BECAUSE OF THE TRANSIENCY AND HIGH FREQUENCY OF LANDLORD-TENANT PROBLEMS IN THE AREA, A CITIZEN HOUSING COMMITTEE PROPOSED AND INTIATED THE PROGRAM. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THE CITY COUNCIL'S ADOPTION OF THE MEDIATION CONCEPT TO INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR LONGER TENURE BY THE CITY'S EXISTING RENTERS, TO HELP ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION IN RENTAL HOUSING, AND TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS AND OWNER-RENTER RELATIONS. THE COUNCIL ADOPTED THE CONCEPT IN JANUARY 1975 AND CONTINUED TO FUND THE PROGRAM ANNUALLY. THE COUNCIL APPOINTS 22 VOLUNTEER (33 PERCENT LANDLORDS, 33 PERCENT TENANTS, AND 33 PERCENT RESIDENTS) FOR 2-YEAR TERMS. EACH MEMBER IS THEN TRAINED TO MEDIATE HOUSING-RELATED DISPUTES. WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A HOUSING PROBLEM CALLS THE HOUSING HOTLINE, TRAINED STAFF MEMBERS DETERMINE WHETHER REFERRAL TO ANOTHER AGENCY, SIMPLE INFORMATION, OR MEDIATION WOULD BE APPROPRIATE. DURING 1978 APPROXIMATELY 1,625 CALLS WERE ANSWERED, AND 171 MEDIATIONS WERE HELD. THE MOST FREQUENT TYPES OF PROBLEMS RECEIVED ARE THOSE REGARDING REFUND OF SECURITY DEPOSITS, EVICTION NOTICES, REPAIRS TO PROPERTY, AND RENTAL INCREASES. PROGRAM SUCCESSES INCLUDE AN 80 PERCENT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF HOUSING-RELATED SMALL CLAIMS COURT CASES BY 1977 AND A DROP IN THE NUMBER OF HOUSING-RELATED CALLS TO OTHER AGENCIES. IN 1978 THE CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE CITED THE PROGRAM AS SUCCESSFUL AND URGED ESTABLISHMENT OF SIMILAR PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED.