REJECTED

What it would do:

Allow cities to introduce new restrictions on market rents or expand existing rent control policies.

What it would cost the government:

It depends. If cities across the state enact new rent control laws or expand old ones, that could result in less construction and reduce rental property values, resulting in lower tax revenue. But it could also allow existing tenants who save on lower rent to spend more on consumer goods, resulting in higher sales tax proceeds. And then again, it’s possible that very few cities will respond with new laws at all, in which case the effect will be negligible.

Why it is on the ballot:

In 1995 the California Legislature passed a statewide clamp down on rent control. Cities could no longer restrict rent increases on apartments built after 1995 or on any single family homes. Plus, any city that wanted to have rent control on the books had to allow landlords to raise rents as soon as a tenant moves out. Now that the state is facing an affordable housing crisis, some housing advocates want to give cities a tool to put a legal lid on rents.”

Full text of Prop. 10

Still undecided? Check out our interactive ballot guide that helps you get to a decision about how to vote on each ballot measure through a series of questions.

Arguments

Arguments in Favor:

The rent is too damn high! California renters are being priced out of the state’s big cities, driving them out into the suburbs, out of state, or onto the street. This is a crisis that needs an immediate solution, even as lawmakers work on a longer term fix.

Arguments Against:

If rents are kept artificially low, it becomes less profitable to build new units or maintain and improve old ones. That’s counterproductive: a shortage of housing is how we got into this mess to begin with.

Videos

See for yourself

Supporters/Opponents

Supporters

California Democratic Party

California Teachers Association

AIDS Healthcare Foundation

California Nurses Association

California State Sen. Kevin De Léon

Sacramento Bee editorial board

The League of Women Voters of California

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders

Opponents

California Republican Party

California Apartment Association

California Chamber of Commerce

State Building and Construction Trades Council of California

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom

Orange County Register editorial board

The Fresno Bee editorial board

Data

Prop. 10 Campaign Contributions

Going Deeper

Story

It's expensive to be a tenant in California. Will Proposition 10's rent control expansion help?

Story

AIDS foundation goes all in for rent control initiative

Story

Wall Street Is Spending Big to Protect Its Ability to Jack Up Rents in California

Commentary

Four measures would do little about housing crisis

Explainer

Gimme Shelter Podcast: Rent Control Wars

Story

Exploring the promise—and unintended consequences—of rent control

Explainer

Californians: Here's why your housing costs are so high

Commentary

My Turn Pro/Con on Proposition 10

Story

Why drug makers are opposing rent control

Story

Wording matters: Decoding mixed messages on gas tax and rent control from new poll

Editorial

Rent control isn't the answer to California's housing crisis, but it could help. Yes on Prop 10

Editorial

Chronicle Recommends: No on Prop. 10

Story

Why Rent Control Is a Lightning Rod

Story

California Tenants Take Rent Control Fight to the Ballot Box

Editorial

Editorial: Prop. 10 would exacerbate California’s housing crisis