San Jose Bestows $250K in Funding to Catholic Charities to Mediate Landlord-Tenant Disputes

Catholic Charities received a 12-month contract to operate the Responsible Landlord Engagement Initiative, running through April 30, 2027. The initiative, overseen by the city’s Rent Stabilization Program, aims to resolve disputes before they escalate by bringing together tenants, landlords, neighbors, and involving police and code enforcement only when necessary. Participation is voluntary and relies on mediation, legal advisement, and case management rather than legal action or enforcement citations. The city allocated $250,000 to keep the program operating after staff determined it did not qualify for federal Community Development Block Grant funding. The contract requires at least 180 service inquiries, 30 opened cases, and 50 community outreach events, with quarterly reporting to track resolutions, disputes, and participant satisfaction.

"Catholic Charities has been awarded a 12-month contract to run the Responsible Landlord Engagement Initiative, according to the Housing Department memo. The contract runs through April 30, 2027. The program-known as RLEI-originally launched in 2009 and is overseen by the city's Rent Stabilization Program, which covers roughly 86,000 apartment units and 10,700 mobilehome spaces across San Jose."

"The initiative is designed to resolve disputes before they escalate, bringing together tenants, landlords, neighbors, and when necessary, police and code enforcement-through voluntary participation and collaborative strategies such as mediation, legal advisement, and case management rather than legal action or enforcement citations."

"The $250,000 came from the Mayor's June 2025 Budget Message and was specifically earmarked to keep RLEI alive for another year after city staff determined the program didn't qualify for federal Community Development Block Grant funding. The contract sets measurable targets: at least 180 service inquiries handled, 30 cases opened, and 50 community outreach events-workshops, tabling sessions, or presentations-completed by the contract's end."

"Catholic Charities will submit quarterly reports to the Housing Department tracking case resolutions, ongoing disputes, and participant satisfaction. Renters or landlords dealing with an unresolved dispute at a small apartment building can contact the Housing Department directly at [e-mail]."

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