California rent control back on the ballot, twice

Sky-high rent is among Californians’ biggest concerns. Nearly 30% of tenants spend more than half their income on rent; and the median rent is $2,850 a month, 33% higher than the national average.

Two propositions on the Nov. 5 ballot address this issue — though one does so in a rather roundabout way.

The more straightforward one is Proposition 33, which would give local governments more control over rent caps. Currently, cities cannot limit rents on single-family homes, apartments built after 1995 and new tenants. Prop. 33 would change that, essentially ending the state’s “limits on limits.” Tenant advocates say that, if passed, Prop. 33 would keep more people housed.

But voters have rejected two similar ballot measures in 2018 and 2020. Landlord groups opposing this year’s measure say stricter rent control will make housing less profitable, worsening the housing crunch.

Learn more about Prop. 33 from CalMatters homelessness reporter Marisa Kendall in our one-minute video. And take a quiz from CalMatters data reporter Erica Yee to see how you might vote.

The measure is sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which also poured tens of millions of dollars into the two previous rent control measures. To stop the foundation from bankrolling another one, landlord groups are backing Prop. 34.

It would require California health care providers (but really, just the AIDS Foundation) to spend at least 98% of revenue from a specific prescription drug discount program on “direct patient care” — or risk having their state license and tax-exempt status revoked and losing out on government contracts.

Supporters, including the California Apartment Association, say the ballot measure is a simple case of accountability, while the foundation argues it’s a political hit job.

To find out more, watch a video explainer from CalMatters housing reporter Ben Christopher. And take the quiz from Erica.