The Protect Oakland Renters Initiative is a proposed ballot measure to strengthen and expand Oakland's existing anti-eviction and renter protection laws in the face of overwhelming displacement pressure for Oakland renters and communities. 

After passing a 90-day moratorium on some rent increases, the Council is supposed to consider many Protect Oakland Renters provisions, like an absolute cap on rent increases, a tenant-majority Rent Board, and placing the burden on landlords to comply with the law. 

This week, though, Council put off consideration of these changes to late May, meaning the Protect Oakland Renters coalition will need continue a gathering signatures for the November ballot even though our elected officials could enact these long-overdue protections right now if they chose. 

More here: 
Two Days After Passing Moratorium, Council Stalls Rent Protection Vote - Post News (4/8/16)

After months of campaigning by housing rights activists the Oakland City Council enacted a 90-day "moratorium" provision that limits rent increases for Oakland tenants in units built before 1983 to the current inflation rate of 1.7% per year. Landlords can petition to the Rent Board for an exception on "fair return" grounds but tenants are entitled to notification and a public hearing. The "moratorium" also reaffirms the City's Just Cause Eviction ordinance and requires that any Notice to Vacate cite a specific legitimate reason for eviction to be valid. 

Find out what it means for Oakland Renters

More coverage here:
City Council Declares Oakland Housing State of Emergency (Oakland Post 4/7/16)