WELCOME

A LETTER FROM EBRHA CEO DEREK BARNES

As we welcome 2022 and gear up for the year ahead, we’d like to express our gratitude for being your trusted resource in navigating the complexities and challenges of owning, managing and maintaining rental properties. Since early 2021, EBRHA has introduced a wide array of new services and programs focused on helping members achieve their business goals while supporting the broader housing community.

I am thrilled to report that we welcomed more than 400 new members to EBRHA in 2021! That's tremendous growth. However, we must also acknowledge our small property owners who have chosen to exit the business of providing rental housing this year – primarily due to the pandemic’s economic impacts and increasing regulation.

After over 80 years in business, EBRHA is inimitably familiar with the natural cycle of rental property ownership in the East Bay. While there are always sellers in the market, there are also buyers. Owning real estate in geographies that continue to appreciate is still a good investment for many. Nevertheless, the economics and operations of running rental properties are constantly changing and becoming more restrictive, as we’ve all seen – especially over the last two years. Our strategies and tactics for managing our businesses must also change. Access to forms, resources, expertise, and networking are some of the key benefits of being a member of a trade association like EBRHA.

Despite another challenging year, the association hit significant milestones and achieved positive outcomes within the East Bay rental housing community. Here are some 2021 highlights:

• Launched three new membership levels with simplified pricing structures to offer support, services and benefits more tailored to member needs

• Rebranded and relaunched our Rental Housing magazine and introduced a new monthly newsletter, Rentrospect

• Presented over 70 educational and informational webinars, spanning a wide range of topics to keep

EBRHA members well informed

• Awarded a grant from Alameda County to help distribute the county’s allocation of $126M in Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

funds – helping over 250 rental property owners and their renters complete their ERAP applications

• Relaunched our annual Trade Expo – EBRHA 360 – showcasing over 40 industry exhibitors and presenters, with more than 200 members attending

• Raised more than $10,000 toward out “Community

Forward” campaign helping four (4) local nonprofits provide critical services to our community

• Helped deter unfavorable rental housing laws such as Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), which was proposed at the state and local levels, and mandatory and invasive rent registries proposed at the state level

Amid a continued pandemic, last year has not been easy for our industry, especially with the slow distribution of emergency rental assistance funds and the extension of local eviction moratoria. The continued health emergency orders, which effectively keeps eviction moratoria in place, are being challenged in Oakland and Alameda counties by a lawsuit filed in early March 2022 by Zacks, Freedman & Patterson – a longstanding EBRHA member.

Given the Bay Area’s fiscal recovery and strong economy, EBRHA supports all efforts to end the local health emergency order and eviction moratorium in response to the 2020 pandemic. With EBRHA leadership, our eight (8) CalRHA affiliate associations, and EBRHA members coming together to neutralize the forces working against the interests of rental property owners/managers, we have made steady progress in voicing the challenges facing the community of housing providers – especially small property owners.

We’ll be announcing new ventures and initiatives, like our recent partnership with Intellirent, to help you stay ahead of the curve and maintain a competitive edge. As 2022 unfolds, members will have opportunities to participate in pilot-testing EBRHA-exclusive property management software programs, register for expanded in-person events and educational offerings, and enroll in a number of new certification programs – all developed to help you manage, optimize and grow your business.

EBRHA remains focused on its efforts to bridge gaps in emergency rental assistance distribution, analyze the impact of complex housing laws, advocate for pro-housing legislation, and provide essential rental property support to our members and community at large. There’s so much more work for us to do together!

Warm regards,