California's Anti-Housing Rent Control Measure Qualifies for Ballot

Supported by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and its president, Michael Weinstein, the measure aims to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, a critical rental housing-protection law in California.



The "Justice for Renters Act," as it is called, has officially qualified for the ballot after initiative proponents successfully submitted over 600,000 valid voter signatures, surpassing the requirement for inclusion in the state's voters' decision. If approved, the measure would eliminate the Costa-Hawkins Act, granting local governments the power to impose strict rent control on newer apartments and single-family homes while lifting the state's ban on vacancy control.

Tom Bannon, the CEO of the California Apartment Association (CAA), expressed concern over the proposed repeal, warning that it could severely impact the construction of affordable housing, adversely affect homeowners and small landlords, and worsen the state's homelessness crisis. Under the measure, local governments would have the authority to set price controls for all property owners, including mom-and-pop landlords and homeowners renting their properties or rooms.

The proponents of the measure, including Michael Weinstein and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, have consistently advocated for universal rent control across California's housing stock, without the exemptions seen in the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482). Their stance includes opposing rent caps determined at the local level, irrespective of how extreme they might be. As an example, San Francisco has set a cap on rent increases at 60% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) change, even during periods of minimal inflation.

Weinstein's efforts to repeal Costa-Hawkins through a ballot measure have been attempted twice before, both of which were rejected by voters with significant margins. Despite previous defeats, the coalition supporting the "Justice for Renters Act" remains determined to press forward with its agenda.

The CAA, along with other pro-housing groups, plans to stand in opposition to the measure, prepared to defend against the potential implications that could disrupt the rental housing market and property owners' rights. As the debate heats up in the coming months, Californian voters will have the critical task of deciding the future of rent control regulations in the state. Stay tuned for more updates and join us as we navigate the complexities of housing policies in California. Together, we can shape a housing market that balances the interests of renters, landlords, and the community at large.