The Palo Alto City Council on Monday made clear, once again, that rent control and “just cause” eviction policies would fail to solve the region’s housing shortage.

At the Sept. 10 meeting, the council held firm on its position to reject rent and eviction controls as they did in October 2017.

Councilmen Adrian Fine, Greg Tanaka, Greg Scharff and Cory Wolbach rejected a motion by the City Council’s no-growth faction to explore “a full range of renter protections” that specifically include “just cause” eviction policies and rent stabilization — aka rent control.

Instead, on a 7-1 vote, the council favored a compromise that involves exploring possible expansions to the city’s existing renter-protection policies, such as minimum lease terms and mediation, and potentially extending relocation payments to properties with two units or more. These are among policy options detailed in a memo authored by Council Members Karen Holman, Tom DuBois, Lydia Kou and Cory Wolbach. Councilman Greg Tanaka cast the lone dissenting vote against pursuing the policies in the memo.

CAA commends the council for rejecting specific rent caps and just-cause eviction policies but …

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