Pasadena Rental Housing Board Declines to Recommend Endorsement of Proposition 33

The Pasadena Rental Housing Board voted Thursday not to recommend a position to the City Council on Proposition 33, which would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, after an intense debate among Board members and impassioned public comments.

The proposition would allow local governments to expand rent control measures, including to single-family homes and newer buildings currently exempt under Costa-Hawkins.

“I don’t think that we should get involved in endorsing or even recommending City Council to endorse this,” said Board Member Brandon Lamar. “I want to make sure that when it comes to us hearing cases later on, I don’t want us to stick our head out there and somebody can presume that we’re biased.”

The Board discussed potential impacts if Prop 33 passes, including the possibility of regulating rents between tenancies and expanding rent stabilization to currently exempt units. Board members noted that the City’s rent stabilization City Charter amendment already contemplates the potential repeal of Costa-Hawkins, giving them flexibility in implementation.

Several landlords spoke during public comment, expressing concerns about potential negative effects.

Peggy Names, a property owner, stated, “If we lose our vacancy control protection, that’s just going to kill it for me completely. I can’t do that because every time a tenant leaves, I have to re-screen the floors, I have to redo all the appliances.”

Tenant advocates argued the measure would provide needed protections. This marked the Board’s third discussion on the topic, highlighting ongoing tensions as they continue implementing Pasadena’s rent stabilization ordinance passed in 2022.

Board Chair Ryan Bell defended considering the proposition, stating: “Our job here is not to protect landlords, it’s to protect tenants. And while doing so, to not deny landlords a fair return on their investment, that’s our purpose.”

After extensive debate, the Board voted on a motion to make no recommendation. The vote was 5 in favor, 2 against, and 2 abstentions. This result fell short of the 6 votes needed to pass, resulting in no action taken.