Proposition 33: Empowering Local Rent Control

Proposition 33 aims to give cities and counties more authority to impose rent control by repealing the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act, which has limited local governments since 1995. This proposition would allow local entities to regulate rents on single-family homes, condos, and properties built after 1995, potentially enabling broader rent control measures. Polling indicates a shift in voter attitudes, with a recent survey showing 51% support for the proposition, up from significant rejections in previous elections. The rising rent burdens faced by California tenants, with nearly half of renters stating they are rent-burdened, have reinvigorated discussions around this measure, reflecting deepening concerns over housing affordability.