CALIFORNIA – The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) announced November 6, that California Governor Gavin Newsom killed rent control Proposition 33 when he became a spokesperson against it.
“Governor Newsom is the main reason that rent control was killed in California. All the polling showed Yes on 33 ahead prior to his becoming the face of the no campaign. Big Real Estate gave him millions over the years, and they called in their chits,” said the AHF president Michael Weinstein in a statement.
Proposition 33, a California ballot initiative that would have allowed for the expansion of rent control in California, fell short at the ballot box Tuesday – 61.6% of Californians voted against it.
AHF says disinformation campaign killed measure
AHF says a fierce disinformation campaign by the California Apartment Association (CAA), Governor Newsom, and many of his campaign consultants killed the measure.
CAA raised $124 million to campaign against Proposition 33 arguing that it would discourage rental housing construction and drive housing providers out of the market.
Voters also rejected rent control propositions in 2018 and 2020.
Never giving up fight
Weinstein says housing is and will remain a human rights issue.
“The result of our loss is that billionaire corporate landlords will pile up more billions while renters will have to choose between paying their rent and buying food or ending up on the sidewalk,” said Weinstein.
He goes on to say that AHF will never give up the fight to achieve justice for renters.
For a full list of the election results for all the state ballot measures visit https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/returns/ballot-measures
RELATED: Unofficial election results – Californians reject rent control and $18 minimum wage