The California Apartment Association is mobilizing members to help stop a temporary rent control ordinance planned for unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles County Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Hilda L. Solis are trying to cap rent increases at 3 percent. If the board greenlights their proposal Tuesday, July 31, county staff will return in 60 days with the rent moratorium ordinance for board consideration. If the 3 percent rent cap is ultimately adopted, it would apply for six months but could be extended by the board.
County officials have not discussed this proposal with the rental housing industry – and supervisors are rushing it to a vote.
“Whether you operate in the unincorporated county or not, you need to tell the supervisors that this proposal and process is unacceptable,” said Beverly Kenworthy, vice president of public affairs for CAA Los Angeles. “Join us at the upcoming meeting to urge the supervisors to engage in real solutions and oppose any form of price control.
“Rent control is not an affordable mechanism, as it is not based on income or a person’s ability to pay. The studies are clear: Price controls will make the housing crisis worse.”
CAA is calling on its members to both attend Tuesday’s meeting and contact county supervisors to convey that a rent moratorium is not the solution to Los Angeles County’s affordable housing problem. A sample letter is below, and members are invited to add their personal experiences or thoughts. Contact information for the supervisors is also below.
Contact information for L.A. County Supervisors
Hilda L. Solis, District One
213-974-4111
FirstDistrict@bos.lacounty.gov
Mark Ridley-Thomas, District Two
213-974-2222
SecondDistrict@bos.lacounty.gov
Sheila Kuehl, District Three
213-974-3333
Sheila@bos.lacounty.gov
Janice Hahn, District Four
213-974-4444
FourthDistrict@bos.lacounty.gov
Kathryn Barger, District Five
213-974-5555
Kathryn@bos.lacounty.gov
Send a Tweet!
@HildaSolis; @SupJaniceHahn ; @mridleythomas; @SheilaKuehl ; @kathrynbarger
Sample email
Dear Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors,
As an active stakeholder in your community, I support the county’s goal to improve the quantity, diversity, and affordability of housing. However, this cannot be achieved through adopting rent control.
Rent control is a counterproductive housing policy. It will not produce any new affordable housing or address the county’s long-term housing concerns. If adopted, it creates a stagnant market and increases the cost of housing for everyone else while leading to a physical reduction in housing stock and deteriorating quality. The unintended consequence of price controls will not only affect the livelihoods of the tens of thousands of individuals that work, supply and operate communities but will also have a disproportionate impact on the economically disadvantaged.
Instead, I ask that you work with housing providers to find alternative solutions. I urge you to focus on producing more housing and promoting the existing resources and programs for the community’s renters. Continue to look for ways to partner with the community to ensure renters are aware of resources available to them and educate rental owners on fair and ethical management practices.
I appreciate the opportunity to advocate meaningful, long-term solutions to our region’s housing challenges.
