California Rent Control Back on the Ballot, Twice

California

By CalMatters

Published 7 months ago on

August 10, 2024

Members of the KDF Tenants Association protest housing conditions and rent increases in Newport Beach on Oct. 26, 2023. (CalMatters/ Julie A Hotz)

Nearly 30% of California tenants spend more than half their income on rent and the median rent is $2,850 a month.
Two propositions on the Nov. 5 ballot address rent control — although one does so in a rather roundabout way.
Prop. 33 gives local governments more control over rent caps; landlord groups are backing Prop. 34.

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Sky-high rent is among Californians’ biggest concerns. Nearly 30% of tenants spend more than half their income on rent; and the median rent is $2,850 a month, 33% higher than the national average.

Two propositions on the Nov. 5 ballot address this issue — though one does so in a rather roundabout way.

Lynn La

CalMatters

The more straightforward one is Proposition 33, which would give local governments more control over rent caps. Currently, cities cannot limit rents on single-family homes, apartments built after 1995 and new tenants. Prop. 33 would change that, essentially ending the state’s “limits on limits.” Tenant advocates say that, if passed, Prop. 33 would keep more people housed.

But voters have rejected two similar ballot measures in 2018 and 2020. Landlord groups opposing this year’s measure say stricter rent control will make housing less profitable, worsening the housing crunch.

Learn more about Prop. 33 from CalMatters homelessness reporter Marisa Kendall in our one-minute video. And take a quiz from CalMatters data reporter Erica Yee to see how you might vote.

The measure is sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which also poured tens of millions of dollars into the two previous rent control measures. To stop the foundation from bankrolling another one, landlord groups are backing Prop. 34.

It would require California health care providers (but really, just the AIDS Foundation) to spend at least 98% of revenue from a specific prescription drug discount program on “direct patient care” — or risk having their state license and tax-exempt status revoked and losing out on government contracts.

Supporters, including the California Apartment Association, say the ballot measure is a simple case of accountability, while the foundation argues it’s a political hit job.

To find out more, watch a video explainer from CalMatters housing reporter Ben Christopher. And take the quiz from Erica.

More on props: On Wednesday, CalMatters posted its first TikTok on a ballot measure: Prop. 32 to increase California’s minimum wage. Starring our politics intern Jenna Peterson, you can also watch it on Instagram.

Young voters: Jenna and Matthew Reagan, assistant editor of CalMatters’ College Journalism Network, talked to political analysts and young people about Vice President Kamala Harris and the presidential race.

Following President Joe Biden’s stunning withdrawal from the race, 72% of registered voters 18 to 29 said they were either “very likely” or “almost certain” to vote in the presidential election — up 8 percentage points.

But even with 41 million eligible Gen Z voters, that age group has historically voted at a far lower rate than every other age group.

Harris’ candidacy, however, is drumming up more excitement among young voters, who are boosting her campaign with coconut emojis, green-tinted Brat fancams and “Veep” memes.

Mindy Romero, founder and director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at the University of Southern California: “I think all of the momentum and activities that we’ve been seeing can grab the attention of young people, maybe get them to give her a chance. She still has to have the goods.”

Democrats hope all that enthusiasm will help congressional candidates in California. For example, Republican U.S. Rep. John Duarte is clashing again with Democrat Adam Gray for the 13th District centered on Modesto. Duarte won in 2022 by just 564 votes, when the youth turnout was only 23%.

Read more on California’s young voters in Jenna and Matthew’s story.

November election: It’s not too early to get informed. Keep up with CalMatters coverage by signing up for 2024 election emails. Check out our Voter Guide, including updates and videos on the 10 propositions and a FAQ on how to vote. And read up on the history of ballot measures in California.

About the Author

Lynn La is the newsletter writer for CalMatters, focusing on California’s top political, policy and Capitol stories every weekday. She produces and curates WhatMatters, CalMatters’ flagship daily newsletter with more than 150,000 subscribers. Lynn is based in the Bay Area. She graduated from UC Davis and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

About CalMatters

CalMatters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom committed to explaining California policy and politics.