Resolution 15425CITY OF ALAMEDA RESOLUTION NO. 15425
SUPPORTING UNITED STATES S. 3250, THE RENT RELIEF ACT
OF 2018, TO AMEND THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986 TO
ALLOW FOR A CREDIT AGAINST TAX FOR RENT PAID ON THE
PERSONAL RESIDENCE OF THE TAXPAYER
WHEREAS, the City of Alameda's Legislative Agenda for 2018 was drafted to
allow staff and the City Council to react quickly to most legislative issues as they arise
and ensure there is a formal City position on a variety of legislative matters; and
WHEREAS, the City's Legislative Agenda expresses stated support for
measures that would reduce income inequalities, including but not limited to, tax
deductions for low-income renters; and
WHEREAS, in November 2015, the City Council adopted an urgency Ordinance
(Ordinance 3140) that imposed a moratorium on rent increases at or above 8%. After
deliberations at City Council meetings in early 2016, the City Council adopted legislation
effective March 31, 2016, (Ordinance 3148) imposing rent review for certain rental units,
rent stabilization for certain rental units, and limitations on the grounds for terminations
of tenancies for all rental units, which was confirmed by voters in the November 8, 2016
election; and
WHEREAS, S. 3250, the Rent Relief Act of 2018, was introduced on July 19,
2018 and is sponsored by Senator Kamala Harris and co-sponsored by Senators
Feinstein, Blumenthal, Hassan, and Gillibrand; and
WHEREAS, 48 percent of Alameda's households are renters, and 45 percent of
Alameda's renters, 6,925 households, spend more than 30 percent of their income on
rent; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, the Alameda Housing Authority assisted 3,866 people in
Housing Authority owned and managed units, non -Section 8 subsidized units, and
Section 8 programs; and
WHEREAS, S. 3250 creates a tax credit for individuals spending more than 30
percent of their income to rent their personal residence. An individual would be eligible
for the credit if they made under $125,000, paid more than 30 percent of their income
on rent, and did not live in a property with rent that is more than 150 percent of the fair
market rent; and
WHEREAS, if S. 3250 is adopted, eligible individuals would receive a tax credit
for a percentage of rent paid over 30 percent of the individual's income. For example, if
an individual earning the median income in Alameda of $45,590 paid the average rent
for a 1 -bedroom apartment, $2,062 ($24,744 per year), they would receive a tax credit
of $8,300, 75 percent of the difference between spending 30 percent of their income on
rent and the actual rent paid; and
WHEREAS, if S. 3250 is adopted, it could benefit 10,791 Alameda households,
or more than one-third of Alameda's 30,678 households.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of
Alameda that the Council supports measures that reduce income inequalities and
efforts by the Unites States Senate to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
allow for a credit against tax for rent paid on the personal residence of the taxpayer,
including S. 3250.
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and
regularly adopted and passed by the Council of the City of Alameda in a regular
meeting assembled on the 4th day of September 2018, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie, Vella and
Mayor Spencer — 5.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of said City this 5th day of September 2018.
Lara Weisiger, fity Clerk
City of Alameda
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Janet Cd Kern, City Attorney
City of Alameda