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What would it achieve?
Many cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, limit the amount a landlord can raise rent each year – a measure known as rent control. But California has capped those limits for nearly 30 years through a law called Costa-Hawkins. Cities cannot impose rent controls on single-family homes or apartments built after 1995. And landlords are free to set their rent prices when new tenants move in.
If Proposition 33 passes, that would change. It would allow cities to control rents for any type of housing, including single-family homes and new apartments, as well as new tenants.
Why is it on the ballot?
Nearly 30% of renters in California spend more than half their income on rent, according to the Public Policy Institute of California – more than in any other state except Florida and Louisiana.
Tenant advocates have been fighting Costa-Hawkins for years to change that, but so far without success. They tried to overturn the law with ballot measures in 2018 and 2020. Lawmakers also tried legislation. Although those efforts failed, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law in 2019 that caps annual rent increases statewide at 5% plus inflation.
Prop. 33 supporters say that doesn’t go far enough. They hope that this year will finally see the repeal of decades-old rent control rules. But the landlord groups opposed to the idea tend to have deep pockets and are willing to spend a small fortune to convince voters that rent control is not the answer to the state’s housing crisis.
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For
$20.2 million raised
The arguments for Prop. 33 boil down to a single, basic point: rent is too damn high. Entry-level workers, teachers, police officers, and firefighters in many California cities are paying half their salaries to live, while others on fixed incomes are one step away from homelessness.
Proponents argue that rent controls work well in many cities to keep people housed. And they say passing Prop. 33 returns decisions about rent controls back to local governments, which can then adopt tailored policies that work for their residents.
Supporters
- AIDS Health Foundation
- Democratic Party of California
- Voices of veterans
- California Nurses Association
- CA Alliance for American retirees
- Housing is a human right
- Tenants together
- Consumer protection
- Living NOW
- ACC
- UNITE HERE Local Chapter 11
Against
$68.4 million raised
Opponents say that if cities impose strict rent controls, California’s already severe housing shortage will worsen. They argue that property values will drop and developers will be less inclined to build new housing, which in turn will drive up prices for existing rental units.
Critics also point out that the measure does not provide any real protection for tenants.
After all, opponents argue, California voters have already rejected this proposal twice.
Opponent
- California Small Business Association
- California Senior Alliance
- California Council of Carpenters
- California YIMBY
- California Chamber of Commerce
- Senate President pro tempore emeritus Toni Atkins
- Democratic Representative Buffy Wicks
- Marine Corps Veterans Association
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