Why liberal California keeps saying no to rent control

[brooklynite]

Los Angeles Times

In one of the most liberal states in the country, California voters have twice had an opportunity to expand rent control statewide amid a historic housing affordability crisis.

And both times voters have given a resounding “no” to the idea.

The decisive failure of Proposition 21 on Tuesday — like Proposition 10 before it in 2018 — shows that despite California’s reputation as a progressive bastion, voters here are far from willing to support one of the most well-known housing ideas championed by the left.

“Ensuring tenant protections has always been an incredibly difficult thing to achieve in California politics,” said Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco), a rent control supporter who has been unable to push a similar plan through the state Legislature. “This outcome reflected that.”

[Galileo126]

1. There is no "why"...

Just a statement that it "is difficult". WHY is it difficult??
A no-answer answer....

[AlexSFCA]

2. because it is not a solution

it reduces housing availability and creates a huge pricing disparity between rent-controlled and new renters. There are already regulations in many municipalities by how much the rent can increase each year. Nothing progressive about it.

[haele]

3. Not only that, but lots of older californians own rental property.

It may be a granny flat, it may be one condo amongst many, it may be a vacation home that is rented out air bnb when not in use, but there's quite a number of middle class/professional types who own property for investment purposes who don't want rent control because; 1 - most of them are paying huge fees to property management companies to maintain the income stream and escrow accounts, 2 - a significant number of individual rental property owners use those properties as a piggy bank or asset leverage for loans/credit purposes and 3 - other property owners are concerned about property values and don't want rent controlled properties in the neighborhood because "rent control benefits poor people".

It's like voting for affordable housing. Everyone loves the idea, however, not in their neighborhood.

Haele