By Rachel Lampert
California has seen the ups and downs of managing unhoused communities. In this upcoming election, voters will have the opportunity to decide if there should be an option to grant cities and counties more manageable rent. According to – Vanessa Rancaño (West Coast stations and Q.E.D.) “Proposition 33 would repeal a 1995 law that curbs locals’ ability to cap rents, known as the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. The law prohibits cities and counties from imposing rent control on all single-family homes, condos and apartments built after 1995 and ensures landlords can bring rents up to market rate when a new tenant moves in.”
Aside from this, a proposition has been discussed. Prop 33 revokes a 1995 law known as the “Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.” The Official Voter Information Guide says. “…currently prohibits local ordinances limiting initial residential rental rates for new tenants or rent increases for existing tenants in certain residential properties.” Rent control is the government which places a halt on an amount a landlord can insist for a lease renewal or leasing a house. This also means if voters were going to vote ‘Yes’ then the law of the state would simply not place a limit on the control of rent in the cities or counties which could have these put into place. Whereas if voters vote ‘No’, then state law will continue to do the opposite. Cities in California that have rent control include Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward, Los Angeles and etc.
There are two different types of rent control which fall under the categories such as moderate and extreme. Rancaño writes. “…modern economists argue that the trick to rent control is balancing landlords’ needs with those of tenants while taking other steps to address the housing shortage, like building a lot more affordable apartments.” Rent control continues to be a topic of dissucison to this day and if you’re interested in finding out more information please call this number regarding elections and voter information (916) 657-2166.
References:
California Secretary of State. (2024). Proposition 33: Expands local governments’ authority to enact rent control on residential property. Official Voter Information Guide. https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/33/
California Secretary of State. (n.d.). Contact information—Elections and voter information.https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/contact
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