Proposition 33 would allow cities and counties to adopt rent control by repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. Similar statewide rent control initiatives failed in 2020 and 2018.
Supporters say repealing the ban on localities capping rents on vacant units, single-family homes and more recently constructed apartments will give local governments tools to alleviate the affordability crisis for their residents.
Opponents will counter that this will cause developers to build less, making housing affordability worse in California. Real estate interests oppose the measure as well as an affordable housing bond measure, Proposition 5. A committee was formed to oppose both proposals — its fundraising is included in the tracker’s Times campaign spending for both proposals.
Global fundraising
Cumulative contributions
The biggest supporters
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a Los Angeles nonprofit that spearheaded previous attempts at rent control, contributed more than $36 million. Los Angeles City Council member Kevin de León formed a committee to support this measure as well as Propositions 3 and 32. His $600,000 contribution is included in all three. Other supporters include worker and tenant organizations.
The biggest opposition
The opposition is supported by real estate investors, real estate agents and property managers, including investor Michael K. Hayde, with $1.9 million. California Apartment Association. contributed $34.4 million to the opposition. One of the committees opposed to the measure, the Homeownership for Families Committee, also opposes Proposition 5, a measure that would make it easier for local governments to approve bonds and tax measures funding affordable housing and infrastructure public. Contributions are displayed in both. It is sponsored by the California Assn. of Realtors, which contributed $22 million.
Times Housing reporter Andrew Khouri contributed to this report.
