Rental Housing Board Meets Wednesday to Discuss $6.6 Million, 22.5 Employee Operations Plan

The Pasadena Rental Housing Board is set to meet this Wednesday to review a report by bhyv Consulting outlining a proposed first-year budget of $6.6 million and the urgent hiring of key positions for what could become a 22.5 person initial staff.

The report, which will be reviewed for information only purposes at this week’s meeting, provides a detailed analysis of how to implement the new City department that will enforce the rules and regulations set out by the Pasadena rental housing board affecting tenants and landlords.

The program’s initial year is estimated to cost approximately $6,679,056, including $591,4056 in ongoing annual costs and $765,000 in one-time costs for IT and office setup. The City Council just last week approved on second reading an ordinance that the Board’s department be incorporated into the city’s official structure in a new department called the Rent Stabilization Department.

The bhyv report proposes a department structured into five divisions (Administration and Policy, Public Information and Outreach, Hearings, Rent Registration, and Legal) with a total of 22.5 full-time employees (FTEs). The staffing is based on best practices and city consultations.

To finance the program, the report suggests a $213 per unit annual Rental Housing Fee for landlords.

The report compares Pasadena’s proposed program with similar programs in other cities, indicating that Pasadena’s costs and structure are in line with those of other municipalities with active enforcement models.

The report emphasizes the urgent hiring of key positions, including the Department Director and Housing Counselors, to expedite the program’s establishment.

The Housing Rental Board will meet at 6:00 p.m. at the Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N Fair Oaks Ave, in Pasadena.