Hodson Award based on protecting Barnhill Marina residents from 178% rent increase and possible displacement
The Alameda City Attorney’s Office has been awarded the 2025 American Bar Association’s (ABA) Hodson Award, a prestigious national recognition presented annually to one government or public-sector law office for outstanding performance and extraordinary service.
[1]The award celebrates the City Attorney’s Office for its unwavering commitment to excellence and its innovative approach to protecting public safety by justly enforcing state and local laws and preserving affordable housing by preventing unnecessary displacement at Barnhill Marina [2], according to a press release issued by the City.
The ABA commended the City Attorney’s Office [3] for acting “with urgency and resolve to protect 50 families living on floating homes in the Barnhill Marina from imminent housing displacement.”
In early 2021, the City explained, a new landlord sought to increase rents at Barnhill Marina by as much as 178%, which would have put many tenants at risk of becoming unhoused. About 50% of tenants were over the age of 65, and many were low-income or fixed-income households and without the means to absorb such rent increases.
The City Attorney’s Office “moved quickly to draft an urgency ordinance that would extend local rent control protections to maritime residential tenancies,” the ABA commendation stated. “With just two days to spare before a deadline for residents to pay the rent increases, the Alameda City Council unanimously adopted the urgency ordinance.”
The City Attorney’s Office vigorously defended the newly adopted ordinance in federal court against multiple legal challenges [4].
When faced with continued non-compliance, the City Attorney’s Office initiated a housing enforcement action seeking to protect the rights of the tenants and to stop the landlord’s continued breaches of local tenant protection laws.
In November 2024, the Alameda County Superior Court ruled fully in favor of the city, imposing more than $335,000 in penalties against the marina owners and issuing a permanent injunction to prevent further harassment of tenants. Additionally, an independent receiver was appointed to manage the marina, ensuring compliance with housing laws and restoring stability to the community.
“I am thrilled and deeply honored that the Alameda City Attorney’s Office is being recognized as a nationwide leader in developing innovative legal solutions to some of our community’s greatest challenges.” said City Attorney Yibin Shen. “Our attorneys and professional staff demonstrate their commitment to effective public service each and every day, and we are proud to be a model of excellence.”
The Alameda City Attorney’s Office is responsible for all civil litigations involving the City and provides expert legal counsel to the City, its elected officials, City departments, and various boards and commissions.
“The Office is driven by a singular goal—to deliver excellent work for the community justly, efficiently, and effectively,” the City stated.