I have covered housing issues for more than two decades in Santa Barbara and have observed dozens of councilmembers over the years make decisions about housing policy.
I remember a time when the council was pushing condominium development over apartments — touting home ownership over rentals. These days, spurred by the state government, the city is encouraging developers to build apartments with the idea being that more housing capacity will decrease rent costs and attract a new generation of people to Santa Barbara’s downtown area.
But there’s also a fight going on.
Santa Barbara recently passed a rent freeze that will last through the end of the year. The freeze does not apply to people renting single-family homes or rental units managed by a public agency. It only applies to apartment buildings built before 1995.
The rent freeze is intended to give the city of Santa Barbara time to craft a rent stabilization ordinance, which officials say they will complete by the end of 2026.
But as you can read below, property owners have signaled they intend to sue the city to block the rent freeze. They call the action unconstitutional and a “taking” of private property rights.
What do you think?
Send us your letters to the editor to editor@newspress.com. Tell us where you stand and why you support or oppose the rent freeze. We are looking to hear from renters, property owners and others with an informed opinion.
Joshua Molina
News-Press Editor
Top read of the day
Santa Barbara property owners, attorney Barry Cappello plan lawsuit to block rent freeze
By Joshua Molina • Santa Barbara News-Press
Property owners say a rent freeze and proposed rent stabilization ordinance represents an unconstitutional taking and violates due process laws.
4 stories sparking buzz
Local voices
“We intend to follow this process through to the end and make sure either the City Council rights this wrong or a court with proper jurisdiction orders it stricken.”
— Attorney Barry Cappello
Must watch
Democratic Women of Santa Barbara talk defending community from ICE
Forwarded this email or viewing online? Subscribe here.
Have a news tip? Email us at info@newspress.com.
