Vote NO on Prop 33: Protect Housing Affordability for Renters, Buyers, and Homeowners

California’s housing market faces many challenges, from high rents to limited availability. Proposition 33, however, threatens to exacerbate these issues rather than resolve them. If you’re a renter, buyer, or homeowner, here’s why you should vote NO on Prop 33 in the upcoming election.

Why Prop 33 is Bad for Renters

1. Increased Rental Costs: Rent control policies that limit landlords' flexibility can lead to unintended rent hikes as landlords may offset risks by raising rents wherever possible. Prop 33, by expanding rent control authority to unelected boards, could worsen affordability for renters.

2. Reduced Availability of Rental Units: Rent control can deter landlords from renting out properties or maintaining them in top condition. When profitability is stifled, it discourages investment in rental housing, potentially reducing the number of available units for renters who need them.

3. Threat to Long-Term Affordability: Instead of lowering rents in the long term, rent control can actually inflate housing prices by reducing supply and creating a demand imbalance. Prop 33’s expanded rent control powers could ultimately push renters to pay more as housing options diminish.

Why Prop 33 Hurts Homebuyers

1. Diminished Housing Development: With Prop 33, housing developers would face restrictions that make it less appealing to build new homes. Fewer housing developments mean a more competitive market, which drives up home prices. Homebuyers may find it even harder to find affordable properties, particularly first-time buyers.

2. Increased Property Taxes: As new developments stall, local governments may need to raise property taxes on existing properties to compensate for lost tax revenue. This burden disproportionately affects both current and prospective homeowners, adding financial pressure in an already high-cost market.

3. Less Attractive Market for Investors: A healthy housing market depends on a stable balance between rental and homeownership options. Prop 33 could drive investors away from California, which would reduce the supply of housing across the board and limit homeownership opportunities for buyers.

Why Prop 33 Undermines Homeownership

1. Reduced Property Rights: Proposition 33 hands more authority to unelected boards, taking control away from property owners. When government controls property decisions, it can undermine owners’ rights and limit their ability to make choices about their investments and personal finances.

2. Negative Impact on Property Values: Home values are often a major part of an owner's financial stability. By constraining the growth of the housing market, Prop 33 could lead to a decline in property values over time, reducing homeowner equity and financial security.

3. Less Incentive to Maintain Properties: Rent control policies have historically led to declines in property maintenance, as owners become less incentivized to invest in property upkeep. Poorly maintained properties not only hurt the housing market but also detract from the quality of neighborhoods.

Vote NO on Prop 33 to Protect California's Future

California's housing issues require sustainable, balanced solutions—not restrictive policies like those in Prop 33. Rather than promoting affordability, Prop 33 risks diminishing the quality, availability, and affordability of housing for everyone. Voting NO on Prop 33 is a vote to preserve housing rights and foster a healthy market for all Californians.