Redwood City voters to decide on new rent control laws: Here's where both sides stand with Measure E
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (KGO) -- Redwood City voters will decide in November whether to adopt rent control and expanded tenant protections through Measure E, a ballot initiative that has drawn support from renter advocates and opposition from city leaders and local housing providers.
Supporters say the measure would provide relief for renters facing rising housing costs, while opponents argue it would impose significant costs on the city and landlords.
On Saturday, volunteers canvassed neighborhoods to encourage support for the measure.
"My name is Jack. This is Rosa," one volunteer said while speaking with residents. "We have a measure for rent control that will be on the ballot this coming November."
Measure E would establish rent control on certain older properties and limit annual rent increases.
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"This is for older properties and it is to keep rent control at 5%. No increases annually over 5%," said Measure E supporter Martha Beetley.
Supporters argue the measure is needed because many residents are struggling to afford housing.
"I have lot of natives, lots of friends that I grew up with, that just can't afford it," said Redwood City resident Michael Range.
Backers of the initiative say 87% of apartments in Redwood City are owned by corporations or real estate trusts.
Faith in Action, a nonprofit advocacy group focused on social justice, housing equity and immigrant rights, supports the measure.
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"It slows the bleeding of the rent increases for people," said supporter Jack Thompson.
Under the proposal, annual rent increases would be capped at 5% or 60% of the inflation rate based on the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less.
"A lot of people have been facing rent increases of 8% to 10% a year. That's really hard to keep up with for most people," Thompson said.
The measure would also provide additional protections for certain tenants, including those older than 62.
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"On top of that, it provides additional protection for tenants that face unfair evictions," Thompson said.
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Redwood City Councilmember Chris Sturken supports the measure, saying it would help preserve the city's workforce and community.
"This measure will help keep our community intact, keep low-income renters in the city, the folks we depend on to do our landscaping, which bag our groceries," Sturken said.
Opponents contend the proposal would be expensive and difficult to implement.
Joshua Howard of the California Apartment Association said in a statement: "Measure E is 46 pages of new laws and regulations that the city estimates will cost $11 million a year and require up to 18 new city employees to implement."
Redwood City Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos also opposes the initiative.
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"...although well-intentioned, Measure E is poorly written policy," the mayor said in a statement.
According to the statement, the mayor believes the measure would undo existing tenant protections and negatively impact affordable housing efforts. He also said new fees could exceed $700 per unit, which he argues would make affordable housing nonprofit projects financially unworkable in the city.
City consultants have also said Redwood City would need to charge landlords those fees to administer the program.
Supporters counter that the costs are justified if the measure helps renters remain in their homes amid rising housing prices.
The debate over Measure E is expected to continue through Election Day, when Redwood City voters will decide whether to adopt the proposed rent control and tenant-protection policies.
