The purpose of the Renters Council is to act as a driving force in the development of a tenants’ rights and protections agenda within the California Democratic Party for the benefit of the 18 million Californian renters.
The Council shall promote policy and legislation consistent with our principles and support those Democratic Party office holders and officials proposing and carrying out such policies.
Renters Reception at Monterey CA Dem E-Board - Saturday, October 25, 1-3pm
The California Democratic Party 2025 Executive Board Meeting is going to be held at the Monterey Grand Hyatt October 24-26. Please mark your calendars and join us for the CA Democratic Renters Council reception at the conference, on Saturday, October 25th from 1-3 pm.
Monterey County is currently in the spotlight on renter issues with both the Salinas referendum on renter ordinances and a decision before the Marina City Council to revoke a decades long rent control on city owned properties. The county has the highest student homelessness rate in the state at twenty percent.
Renters are voters and the California Democratic Renters Council is the voice of renters in our state party. We need them to feel heard by the party for us to get EVERY SINGLE VOTE for Prop 50 and the coming midterm election.
We hope to see you on October 25th for snacks, refreshments and mingling with our board members, our supporters, fellow advocates, local renters, nonprofits and elected officials. And please consider a sponsorship donation to help us make this event a huge success! If you would like to send a check, please contact us at cademrenterscouncil@gmail.com
Special Thanks to our Reception Sponsors
Betty Yee - Candidate for California Governor
Berkeley City Councilmember Igor Tregub
Join our sponsor list at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/carent2025october
Renters Council membership meeting on Sunday, October 19.
Renters Council will meet online on Sunday, October 19, at 7pm. Register/join at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/sV_bdzAuSaG5YuPSAzTIiQ
Ask the Governor to sign Tenant Protection Legislation
Five important pro-tenant bills are at the Governor's desk! Call and write and ask the Governor to sign at https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/
SB 655 (Stern)
Starts the process for establishing regulations for maximum indoor temperature. While California requires rental housing to have heat, there is currently no requirement for cooling.
AB 246 (Bryan)
Protects tenants from eviction if they are unable to pay rent due to an interruption in Social Security payments.
AB 628 (McKinnor)
Requires rental housing (other than group housing such as a dorm room) to have a working stove and fridge.
AB 863 (Kalra)
Requires eviction notices in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Korean if lease was in that language or if it is the tenant's primary language.
AB 1414 (Ransom)
Gives tenants the rights to opt out of a 3rd party internet service subscription.
#RentersVote - Register your new neighbors to vote Yes on 50
Ballots will be mailed for this November's statewide election in early October. In addition to Proposition 50, some cities and counties will have additional items on the ballot. Know anyone who moved recently? Remind them to check their voter registration and re-register if needed at RegisterToVote.ca.gov
Give Input on the 2026 California Democratic Party Platform
Every two years, the party updates the party platform. During this process, Democrats are invited to review the existing platform and give comments on what to add, what to change and what to keep.
To see the existing 2024 Platform: https://cadem.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/FinalPlatform2024.pdf
For example, the current platform on tenant protections include "Support tenant protection measures and anti-displacement ordinances such as eviction protections and moratoriums, rent control/rent stabilization, anti-harassment ordinances, habitability protections, and oppose any statewide or local efforts and policies that undermine or weaken such measures that are currently in place" and "Support the funding of tenant education “Know Your Rights” programs, legal counsel for tenants, and enforcement of state tenant and housing laws".
For the full list of hearings, please see https://cadem.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2026-Testimony-Hearing-Schedule.pdf Comments can also be submitted in writing starting 9/17 at https://fs3.formsite.com/CADEM2011/fat6zmokwi/index
Membership Eligibility
Membership is open to all registered Democrats, as well as those who intend to register to vote as Democrats when they become eligible. If you need to re-register to vote as a Democrat, please go to https://registertovote.ca.gov/
Dues Options:
Regular Member, $10
Housing Friend, $25
Housing Patron, $50
Housing Activist, $99
Pay your Dues
We are now accepting dues for membership for 2025, which covers members for all of 2025 and up through the first 2026 CADEM Convention. All members have the same voting rights.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/carent2025
We have a number of generous members that donate more than the amount or set up a monthly additional donation. You can use the same link above to make a additional contribution. There is no contribution limit. This year is an extremely important election year and your donations will be especially helpful in us supporting candidates, rent control ordinances & events to get the renter vote out statewide.
Fee Waiver:
If dues are a financial hardship, please use the Fee Waiver membership form: https://forms.gle/6zBMLdJLRZhrJP2VA
