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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Housing Crisis: Could Prop 21 Make a Difference?

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Friday, October 30, 2020   

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Groups that advocate for renters are hoping Californians will vote on Tuesday to make it easier for cities and counties to pass or expand rent control.

Proposition 21 would allow rent control for properties built before 2005, lifting restrictions that were put in place by the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995.

Rene Moya, director of the "Yes on Prop 21" campaign, said even before COVID, unaffordable rents meant too many families, particularly people of color, were being evicted.

"Something like half a million renters and their families are being pushed out of their homes every single year," said Moya. "The COVID-19 pandemic has, of course, only made that worse."

Opponents - including the California Association of Realtors - say more rent control could backfire, prompting landlords to exit the market and shrinking the housing stock even further.

Gov. Gavin Newsom opposes Prop 21, saying a 2019 law that requires "just cause" for evictions and caps rent increases should be given more time to work. Supporters say that law will keep more working-class families in their homes and stem the tide of homelessness.

Prop 21 would also allow cities to pass rent control ordinances to cover single-family homes. And Moya noted that it exempts most small landlords.

"It threads the needle between protecting those renters who live in single-family homes, while ensuring if you own up to two single-family homes, you will not be affected by Prop 21 at all," said Moya.

Moya added that Proposition 21 also attempts to stop runaway rental amounts, by limiting increases to 15% for the first three years when a new tenant moves in.


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