San Francisco pushes to repeal restrictive rent control law

In a recent government meeting, a resolution was introduced to support the Justice for Renters Act, which aims to repeal the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act, a law that has restricted local rent control measures in California since its inception in 1995. The resolution seeks to place San Francisco on record in favor of this November 2024 state ballot measure, highlighting the urgent need to address the city's housing affordability crisis.

The Costa Hawkins Act has been criticized for limiting the ability of cities, including San Francisco, to expand rent control protections. Currently, the law prevents rent control from covering condominiums and exempts over 86,000 housing units built after June 1979. This has left many renters without essential protections, exacerbating the challenges posed by rising rental prices.

Additionally, the Act prohibits vacancy control, which would allow cities to regulate initial rental prices. Instead, under the current law, rents can be significantly increased after a tenant vacates, creating financial incentives for landlords to push out long-term residents in favor of higher-paying tenants. This practice has contributed to gentrification and displacement within San Francisco communities.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has previously expressed support for repealing Costa Hawkins, indicating a continued commitment to enhancing tenant protections and addressing the housing crisis. The introduction of this resolution marks a significant step towards advocating for more equitable housing policies in the city.