Within months after my election I co-sponsored ordinances following up on the April '99 anti-harassment charter amendment passed by 72% of Santa Monica voters. Responding to horror stories of unlivable conditions during owner renovations funded by skyrocketing Costa-Hawkins rents, we added requirements for timely construction plans, reduced impacts, site security and tenant relocation where needed.

After single residents with children consolidating their households pointed out a loophole letting landlords evict the new family for having kids live with their own parent, we expanded protection for children -- some of our most vulnerable tenants.

If you are being harassed into moving out (allowing much higher rents for the next occupant) or retaliated against for having asserted your tenant's rights under local or state law, you are not alone in your fight.

Call the Santa Monica City Attorney's fair housing office at 458-8336, the Rent Control Board at 458-8571, or the Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights hotline, 394-0848.