California Rent Control Bill Falls Short of Passing Committee

A bill aimed at expanding rent control in California won't be moving forward in the Legislature.

The legislation by Assemblyman Richard Bloom of Santa Monica was one vote short of passage Thursday in an Assembly committee. The Democrat's proposal would have repealed a 1995 law that prohibits cities from placing rent control on properties built after that year.

It would not have mandated new rent control.

Bloom said tenants across California need relief from high rents.

But supporters of the rent control restrictions say more rent control would stifle more building and help alleviate strains on housing supply.

Up for debate was the repeal of a 1995 law that strictly limits cities' abilities to adopt rent control on properties built after that year. Supporters say repealing the law would help renters struggling with ever-rising costs.

California is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. Construction isn't keeping up with demand, and experts estimate a third of renters are paying more than half their income for housing.