Voters will be making a decision on a measure that will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot to limit rent increases in Pasadena.
With rental prices skyrocketing and affordable housing in short supply, inflation-weary tenants in cities and counties across the country are turning to the ballot box for relief. Supporters say rent control policies on the Nov. 8 ballot are the best short-term option to dampen rising rents and ensure vulnerable residents remain housed.
“I’ve had a lot of constituents reach out to me, and they are fearful of becoming homeless. They don’t know what to do,” said Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who authored the ballot initiative ordinance after hearing from tenants facing rent increases upwards of 100%. “Rent stabilization can provide protections for everyone, but do so in a way that really targets benefits to low-income renters, renters of color, renters who are most desperately impacted by housing instability,” said Tram Hoang, a housing policy expert who was involved in the St. Paul campaign.
Voters in the San Francisco suburb of Richmond and Southern California beachside city of Santa Monica will consider measures to further tighten existing rent caps to a maximum of 3%. Pasadena retiree Paulette Brown received the state-allowed increase of 10% in July, bringing the rent on her two-bedroom apartment to $1,175 a month. Budgeting will be tighter.
Michael Wilkerson, senior economist at Portland, Oregon-based ECONorthwest, describes both the California and Oregon state laws as “anti-price gouging” measures aimed at protecting the most vulnerable tenants from exorbitant increases, while encouraging new housing development. Opponents also say rent regulation can scare off developers. St. Paul’s original ordinance, for example, applied to almost all housing and mandated landlords stick to the 3% cap even with new tenants.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Judge Orders Far Right Group to Stop Intimidating Voters at Drop Boxes in ArizonaAfederal judge has issued a temporary restraining order on a far right organization that is harassing voters at ballot drop box locations in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Read more »
Voting Do's and Don'ts: How to Make Sure Your Vote CountsThe Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk is encouraging all eligible Angelenos to cast their ballot in the 2022 election. And it’s not too late to register to vote!
Read more »
Richardson reports steady turnout at alternate voting centerEarly voting takes place through Friday, Nov. 4 for the Nov. 8 election.
Read more »
Letters, Nov. 2: O’Rourke best for TexasRead the letters to the editor for Nov. 2.
Read more »
Northbound Interstate 17 closed overnight between Grant Street and McDowell Road in Phoenix Nov. 3
Read more »