City College Superintendent will sign letter supporting tenants’ rights

The Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees voted unanimously in support of having the school’s superintendent write a letter and speak in front of the city council regarding tenants’ rights.

This was also a win for Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy also known as CAUSE. It’s a local group with organizers who try and help low-income families work through tough situations like unjust evictions.

“College students are a big reason of gentrification of the Santa Barbara’s Westside. Santa Barbara City College has been very forward in talking about this, especially with city council and the community. This is one step forward,” said Frank Rodriguez, a Santa Barbara organizer for CAUSE.

Rodriguez spoke in front of the board of trustees and explained why low-income families who live near SBCC deserve respect and rights. He talked about an apartment complex who kicked out families in order to make room for college students. Rodriguez wants support from the college and with that support he will go to Santa Barbara City Council members and ask them to create a “just cause ordinance.”

This would benefit residents who pay their rent on time and not be allowed to get evicted without justifiable reasons.

The board voted unanimously. Anthony Beebe, SBCC’s superintendent, will write a letter and speak to city council on March 21.