(FOX 5/KUSI) — Among the many statewide propositions California voters had their say in during this year’s election was Proposition 33, which would open up the ability of local governments to expand rent control measures.
The proposition specifically would repeal a decades-old law, the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, that generally prevents placement of rental cost caps on single-family properties and those built after 1995. It would also limit what lawmakers could do to regulate rent control in the future.
Proposition 33 marks the third time a measure to repeal Costa-Hawkins has been on the California ballot since 2018, when voters shot down Proposition 10 by nearly 20 points. The second measure in 2020 failed by a similar margin.
Referring to it as the “Justice for Renters Act,” Proposition 33 supporters argued striking this law would be critical to address soaring housing costs at a time when most of California’s renters are considered “rent burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent.
They also pressed it will help protect tenants from rent-related eviction, which is one of the leading drivers of the homelessness crisis.
Opponents, however, contended the proposition would have an opposite effect, discouraging new housing development by making it financially unfeasible to build new housing or maintain existing buildings and reducing rental property values.
Some housing advocates have further argued it would make it difficult for state officials to enforce existing laws aimed at boosting cities’ supply of affordable housing units.
The proposition was one of the more expensive ballot measures in California this election cycle, with nearly $29 million headed to political action committees backing it and roughly $66 million going to those opposed.
Support has in large part been bankrolled by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which came under fire after a 2023 Los Angeles Times investigation into the conditions inside its housing facilities for homeless and low-income households.
Meanwhile, realtor and landlord groups — like the powerful California Apartment Association that has long fought against state regulation of rental housing prices — have been the primary financiers of the movement against Proposition 33.
Initial returns released put the measure on track to fail with 64.1% voting against it as of 8:40 p.m., although additional results are expected to come in over the next few days and weeks. California’s Secretary of State has until Dec. 13 to certify the results, making them official.
Should it be passed by California voters this time around, Proposition 33 would go into effect immediately.
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