Rent Control Supporters are Getting Desperate… and that Should Scare You Even More

Rent Control Supporters are Getting Desperate… and that Should Scare You Even More

By now you have heard that the “Justice for Renters” initiative, underwritten by Michael Weinstein’s AIDS Healthcare Foundation—yes, money intended to provide support services to AIDS patients is being used to push for stricter statewide rent control—will be on the November 2024 ballot.

However, property owners have started fighting back.

• The coalition to oppose Weinstein has already set out a plan to outraise what it did for its opposition to his previous rent control initiatives— Proposition 10 (2018) and Proposition 21 (2020).

• A ballot initiative petition is now also circulating that would ban Weinstein (or others) from using foundation funds for political purposes.

• The rental registry in Santa Ana that was launched this summer has been seen as so invasive that property owners and residents, alike, are pushing back on the city’s compliance mandates.

• The recall election for Santa Ana City Councilmember Jessie Lopez (Ward 3), who was a major proponent of rent control in Santa Ana, has been set for November 14, 2023.

Additionally, there has been considerable progress on AAOC’s lawsuit against the city of Santa Ana which has highlighted major problems in the way the city’s rent control ordinance was passed—with an administrative law judge even recently indicating there may be major problems that the city allowed to occur when it was passed. Furthermore, there has been some notable online coverage on the rent control issue in Orange County—

• The OC Independent exposed the issues with the rent registry’s invasive and potentially illegal nature—

Santa Ana Rental Registry Roll Out Criticized As Intrusive and Burdensome—OC Independent (ocindependent.com)

• The Voice of OC has identified that the issues surrounding rent control in Orange County will lead to more cities looking at the policy—only to abandon it as a solution—Rent Control Might Be on the 2024 Ballot in Santa Ana; Will Other Cities Follow? (voiceofoc.org)

There has been great progress in advocating for property owners’ rights. But that’s when rent control advocates get desperate...

The Santa Ana City Council has recently begun working on some egregious policies—

• First, council members attempted to require a 2/3 council majority to make future changes to the ordinance.

• Then, they tried to override the city attorney’s direction against such a change

• Now, they are trying to rush through and place a voter initiative on the November 2024 ballot to make rent control part of the city charter— and require a 2/3 majority to change the policies.

In other words—they’re desperate. They know that Councilwoman Jessie Lopez is likely to be recalled this November.

They know they are going to lose their council majority when she is recalled.

They know AAOC’s lawsuit poses serious threats to the city’s rent control ordinance and the pro-rent control majority.

They see the writing on the wall— the party is over.

Now, before you pop the champagne, remember the adage—

“Desperate times call for desperate measures.”

Take some time and watch the city council members’ actions at the September 19, 2023 meeting. The meetings are archived on the city’s website and viewable on YouTube— Agendas and minutes—City of Santa Ana (santa-ana.org)

Erratic is an understatement—but this is what happens when those in control sense their political power is slipping away. The council majority is desperately trying to force through policies without fully vetting the impact of those policies.

• The rent registry that the city just rolled out violates several state constitutional provisions—and many federal housing policies.

• The city rent control ordinance still has several state and federal constitutional problems before it is settled.

• The city is still trying to decriminalize public intoxication, street racing, and at the same time providing voting rights to non-citizens.

And the council majority is trying to jam through policies that not only codify these problematic policies—but would also require a 2/3 majority to make changes when additional shortcomings are uncovered.

These are not just desperate grasps on power—they represent an irresponsible way to govern.

So, what can you do?

• Donate to the AAOC Legal Defense Fund and support AAOC’s lawsuit against the city of Santa Ana www.aaoc.com/legal-defense-fund

• Donate to the AAOC MultiCounty Property Rights PAC and support the political fight to oppose state and local rent control, and other issues-based threats to the rental housing industry— www.aaoc.com/store/aaoc-issues-pac.

• Donate to the AAOC PAC and support state and local political candidates who support our industry—www.aaoc.com/store/aaoccandidates-pac

Contribute what you can today. Our industry is in the fight of its’ life for the next 14 months. Your generous contribution and support will help determine our future.