What would Prop 33 do?
Many cities, like San Francisco and Los Angeles, limit landlords’ annual rent increases—a policy known as rent control. However, for almost 30 years, the Costa-Hawkins Act has restricted these rent control measures in California. This law prevents cities from regulating rent on single-family homes and apartments built after 1995 and allows landlords to set new rental rates when new tenants move in.
If Proposition 33 passes, this would change. Cities would be allowed to apply rent control to all types of housing — including single-family homes, newer apartments, and for new tenants.
Why is it on the ballot?
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, nearly 30% of Californian renters spend more than half of their income on rent, making California one of the most rent-burdened states, alongside Florida and Louisiana.
Tenant advocates have long been pushing to repeal Costa-Hawkins but have faced multiple setbacks. Ballot measures in 2018 and 2020 failed to overturn it, and legislative attempts have also stalled. While Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law in 2019 that limits annual rent increases to 5% plus inflation, supporters of Prop. 33 argue it doesn’t go far enough. They believe 2024 could be the year to reform these long-standing rent control restrictions. On the other hand, landlord groups, often well-funded, oppose the measure and are prepared to spend heavily to persuade voters that rent control is not the solution to California’s housing crisis.
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Source: CalMatters
