By Mikayla Schwartz
As many voters are trying to navigate this election cycle and ballot propositions, one key issue that may not be well understood is housing and rent control on the California ballot. Proposition 33, if passed, would allow “cities and counties to adopt local rules that control rents on all types of properties and for new tenants,” (Vanessa Rancaño, KQED). This proposition would also prevent the state from passing laws that would restrict rent control at the local level. Proposition 33 would also repeal a 1995 law called the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act that prohibited cities and counties from allowing “ rent control on all single-family homes, condos, and apartments built after 1995.”
California currently has a form of rent control called the Tenant Protection Act that “caps annual rent increases at 5% plus inflation or 10% whichever is lower.” ( Rancaño, KQED) However, it excludes buildings built within the past 15 years which includes many single family homes and condos. Those against it say it reduces the quality of the housing disincentives landlords to maintain properties and reduces the rental market by leading some to leave the market or even convert properties to condos.
Those for this measure believe cities should decide rent control on a more local level. To counter the issue of rental market availability, economist Mark Paul says that there should be “rent caps with other regulations” to reduce the possibility of this issue arising. (Rancaño, KQED). For more information about Proposition 33 and examples of other cities such as the city of San Francisco with their rent control measures, please visit KQED.
References:
Rancaño, V. (2024, October 9). Rent control is on the ballot again. Here’s what to know. KQED. https://www.kqed.org/news/12008424/prop-33-rent-control-is-on-the-ballot-again-election-2024-california