Supervisors vote to support ballot initiative to overturn statewide ban on rent control and allow local communities to help keep tenants in their homes

Housing advocates, rent control supporters, union leaders and several elected officials thanked the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for its endorsement earlier today of Proposition 33, a November statewide ballot initiative that will allow for the expansion of rent control in California by overturning the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a state law passed in 1995.

“We are thrilled the County of Los Angeles has taken a stand to support renters by endorsing Proposition 33,” said Susie Shannon, campaign manager for Yes on 33. “It is significant that the two largest counties in California—Los Angeles and San Francisco Counties--now support Prop 33.”

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath (D - 3^rd District) authored the motion to endorse (Agenda Item Number 11), which was seconded by Supervisor Hilda Solis (D – 1^st District) and supported by Supervisor Janice Hahn (D – 4^th District). Only Supervisor Katherine Barger (R-5^th District) voted against the measure. Supervisor Holly Mitchell (D-2^nd District) abstained.

Rent control advocates hosted a press conference just prior to the Supervisors meeting urging the Board to endorse the measure and testified before the Board in support of the measure and the Board’s endorsement. In addition to Shannon, Tuesday’s press conference participants included Hon. Brian Tabatabai, Mayor, West Covina; Hon. Sue Himmelrich, Former Mayor of Santa Monica; Ericka Lesley, Board Chair, Santa Monica Rent Board; Ada Briceño, Co-President, UNITE Here Local 11; Eduardo Martinez, Housing Advocate and AHF Mobilizer; and Tom Butts, a Los Angeles area renter.

Notable figures and groups who have endorsed Proposition 33 include the California Democratic Party; Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT); labor and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta; UNITE HERE Co-President Ada Briceño; and Democratic National Committee Member Christine Pelosi.

More than 100 California elected officials, including Congressmember Maxine Waters, Congressmember Barbara Lee, Congressmember Ro Khanna, State Senator Ben Allen, State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, and Assemblymember Chris Holden, have also endorsed Proposition 33.

Proposition 33 is just 23 words: "The state may not limit the right of any city, county, or city and county to maintain, enact or expand residential rent control.” It would remove California’s statewide rent control ban and give local communities the right to stabilize rents and make apartments more affordable for low-income and middle-income renters.

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