Prop 33: California voters reject measures to expand rent control

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — California voters rejected Proposition 33, which sought to expand local governments' ability to impose rent control on more types of housing.

With more than 70% of precincts and more than 8 million votes cast, the measure lost 2-1 early Wednesday morning, according to results released by the California Secretary of State.

Here's what Prop 33 would have done:

What is Prop 33?

Not all cities in California have rent control, so Prop 33 aims to address this issue.

“It's only 23 words, and it just gives your city council members and county supervisors the right to extend rent control where they see it necessary,” said Susie Shannon, campaign manager for Yes on 33.

To this end, Prop 33 seeks to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, which currently prohibits local ordinances that limit initial rental rates for new tenants or rent increases for existing tenants in certain residential properties.

Cities may limit how much a landlord can raise each year, but they can not They impose rent control on single-family homes and all apartments built after 1995, and they can't tell landlords how much they can charge a new tenant.

If this measure sounds familiar, that's because it's been on the ballot before.

“I think California voters will reject it again,” said Nathan Click, a spokesman for the No on 33 campaign. “They previously rejected it by a majority of 20 points. California voters are smart.”

Similar proposals failed in 2018 and 2020.

Opponents of Prop 33 argue that it would make the housing crisis worse.

“It would allow cities and counties to impose new restrictions on building new housing; it would take away the incentive for people trying to build more housing,” Click said. “It would reduce the supply of housing and drive up rents across the state.”

But those who support it say the cost of living in California is simply too high.

“People are having a really hard time paying their rent,” Shannon said. “In fact, more people are rent-burdened in California than anywhere else in the country. We now have a million people who have left California in the last five years, moving out or moving in with relatives or friends and then ultimately becoming homeless.”

Prop 33: What does a “yes” vote mean and what does a “no” vote mean?

In short, a “yes” vote would allow cities to impose rent control on any type of housing, and a “no” vote means state law would continue to restrict rent control.

Who supports Prop 33?

Prop 33 is supported by several organizations known for tenant advocacy, including the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. The group is also at the center of another ballot measure — Prop 34, which has nothing to do with rent control or affordable housing.

In fact, Prop 33 supporters called it a “revenge ballot measure.”

Opponents of Prop 33 include the California Council for Affordable Housing, the Women Veterans Alliance and the California Chamber of Commerce.

To learn more about Prop 33, click here.