13 Votes on House Propositions to be Considered on Election Day

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California isn’t the only state to decide it is important housing issues at the ballot box on November 5, but it is one of the most prominent. Thirteen state and local ballot measures are involved many families or landlord relations and housing laws will be determined when voters go to the polls.

Here’s a look at 13 proposals to watch on Election Day.

California: Proposition 33

California’s Costa-Hawkins Rent Control Act mandated that rent control would not apply to any apartment buildings (including single-family homes) built after Feb. 1, 1995. Additionally, local laws currently cannot determine what landlords can charge new tenants when they first move in. in the middle; they can only limit rent increases to existing tenants.

Episode 33 would increase rent control laws by limiting the amount landlords can charge for rent, regardless of the apartment’s rental history, and extend them to single-family homes. Proponents of Prop 33 cite California’s affordable rents as the reason it is strongfar-reaching rent control lawswhile Opponents feel the proposal will block future construction and investment—the only thing affordable housing needs to alleviate the problem.

Five local initiatives—four in California and one in New Jersey—could have a direct impact on multifamily operations and landlord-tenant relationships:

Berkeley, California: Measure BB

Average uses existing income to support housing maintenance and homelessness prevention. It will remove rent control and registration exemptions, allow tenants’ associations, and mandate that landlords meet with them. It would also change some eviction conditions and remove the rent control freeze during high vacancy. Additionally, the measure aims to regulate how tenants can be charged for utilities and limit rent increases to 5%.

Berkeley, California: Measure CC

Average wants to use existing income to create a fund to pay rent to property owners. It also aims to expand exemptions from housing regulations and allow tenants’ associations while fixing other eviction conditions.

If passed, the measure would remove power from the city’s rent board and raise the maximum rent to 7.1% from 7%. This measure conflicts with Measure BB, so if both pass, the one with the most votes will win and become law.

Fairfax, California: Measure 1

This scale he spends the city Just Cause Expulsion and the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. It replaces the previous state law and city code.

San Anselmo, California: Measure O

This requires property owners with three or more units to provide longer notices, provide relocation benefits, and the right to return to the apartment upon termination of a no-fault lease. It also mandates that landlords pay for temporary relocation.

Hoboken, New Jersey: Poll Question

Under current rent control laws, Hoboken landlords cannot raise rents by more than 5% or the Consumer Price Index—whichever is greater. However, there is a caveat: If the unit has been vacant for three years or more, the landlord can raise the rent by up to 25%.

I voting question aims to change this. If passed, it would allow landlords to raise rents on newly vacant rent-controlled units to market rates without restrictions. This is regardless of the length of the previous lease, provided the landlord makes a $2,500 contribution to Hoboken’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The units will be under rent control, and increases are limited during the rental period.

Steps in California and Rhode Island directly Affordable housing approval concerns:

California: Proposition 5

This targeted by local ballot measures requiring bonds on affordable and public housing. Specifically, amend the country’s constitution to lower the maximum amount required to issue such bonds from 66.67% to 55%. This will also apply to future ballot measures regarding affordable housing subsidies.

Rhode Island: Question 3

This is asking voters to approve $120 million in housing development bonds, including acquisitions and infrastructure. R80 million of this money will be used mainly for affordable housing.

The top five measures of affordable housing include:

Baltimore, Maryland: Question A

This allows the city to borrow up to $20 million to run its affordable housing program.

Charlotte, North Carolina: Housing Bond Measure

This scale uses increased property taxes to fund a $100 million affordable housing bond.

Los Angeles County: Kala A

This repeals and replaces the Measure H tax—a quarter of the sales tax that expires in 2027—with a half-cent sales tax that supports affordable housing, among other causes.

Oroville, California: Measure N

This specifically addresses the approval of an 18-unit low-income housing complex.

San Francisco, California: G proposal

This sets aside a minimum of $8.25 million per year to pay for rental subsidies for affordable housing.

Final thoughts

As the country faces an affordable housing crisis, even if your state, city, or town doesn’t have specific housing-related measures on the ballot, votes in places where they do—especially in California—can affect other parts of the country. of my brothers. Regardless of your political or geographical beliefs, 2025 could herald a new era of housing laws.

A Note About BiggerPockets: These are the views expressed by the author and do not necessarily represent the views of BiggerPockets.