Quick Facts
Biography
Sean Elo-Rivera is the president of the San Diego City Council. A member of the California Democratic Party, he represents City Council District 9, which includes the neighborhoods of City Heights, Kensington, Normal Heights,and East San Diego, and also includes San Diego State University.
He was elected to the city council in the 2020 San Diego elections, alongside mayor Todd Gloria. He succeeded Georgette Gómez to represent the 9th district. His election, alongside those of many other candidates around the country, was hailed as a victory for those who care about climate change, as he had developed a strong climate plan in his campaign.
On December 6, 2021, Sean Elo-Rivera was elected as the President of the San Diego City Council, defeating Jennifer Campbell in a 5–4 vote. On December 12, 2022, he was re-elected to the post of President of the City Council unanimously by his City Council colleagues. On December 11, 2023, Elo-Rivera was re-elected to serve as Council President for a third straight year by a vote of 5-4.
Early career and education
Elo-Rivera graduated from Chapman University in 2009 and the California Western School of Law in 2013. Before getting elected to the City Council, he served as a trustee of the San Diego Community College District.
Policy Initiatives
No-fault Eviction Moratorium
Elo-Rivera introduced a no-fault eviction moratorium. The legislation would put an emergency moratorium on no-fault evictions, or evictions where tenants are paying their rent and complying with their leases. The purpose of the moratorium was to prevent unnecessary displacement amid a growing homelessness crisis. This took effect on May 22, 2022 and expired on September 30, 2022.
Housing Instability Prevention Program
In the FY 2022-2023 Budget, Elo-Rivera introduced a program to provide a rental subsidy to vulnerable seniors and families to prevent them from falling into homelessness. A late addition to the budget included $3.5 million for homelessness prevention program which became known as the Housing Instability Prevention Program. At the time, seniors were the fastest growing population becoming newly homeless, facing rising cost of living on a fixed income.
Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance
Elo-Rivera introduced the Residential Tenant Protections ordinance in late 2022,which increased tenants rights. The ordinance which passed in the City Council by a vote of 8-1 in April of 2023 banned no-fault evictions with some exceptions. Evictions for renovations of units would require permits to be posted on the premises. Enhanced rights for tenants would be take effect on the first day of tenancy. The ordinance included input from tenants rights advocates and the rental housing industry.
Other Homelessness Prevention
Elo-Rivera worked with Lucky Duck Foundation to launch the Seniors Safe at home program which provided eligible seniors with a rent subsidy and services to keep them from falling into homelessness. The effort aimed to prevent seniors from falling into homelessness which, at the time, was the fastest growing age group becoming newly homeless.
