Recent moves by the Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo (HACSM) signal efforts to act upon guidance from California's Attorney General, Rob Bonta, in enforcing the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (TPA). Specifically, this refers to the guidance outlined by Bonta's June 29 letter, which emphasizes the pivotal role Housing Authorities play in TPA enforcement, as mentioned on the SMCGov website.

Under the TPA initially established in 2019, there were restrictions on yearly rent increases. Landlords, particularly those dealing with tenants receiving rental subsidies via the federal Housing Choice Voucher program, were not to increase rent by more than 10% or 5% alongside inflation, whichever was lowest. This was measured according to the regional Consumer Price Index. The Attorney General's guidance elaborates on and supports these boundaries.

Bonta's letter places emphasis on Housing Authorities' obligation to uphold state and local rent limits when landlords suggest a rent hike. In response, HACSM Executive Director, Ray Hodges, says, "Reassuringly, the Attorney General's clarification provides us with distinct legal authority to invoke the TPA's rent limits when scrutinizing proposals from landlords to lift rents, especially those paid by Housing Choice Voucher holders — among the most vulnerable tenants in our community."