As proponents of a statewide voter-initiative gather signatures to put rent control reform on the November ballot, the Santa Monica Rent Control Board is considering a ballot measure of its own. If both measures are successful, the RCB would regain control over the monthly rate of thousands of apartments in Santa Monica.

The Affordable Housing Act would put Costa-Hawkins up for repeal, potentially upending the law that allows landlords to lease rent-controlled apartments at market rate after a tenant moves out. If passed, the ballot measure would allow cities to decide whether to control rental rates. So far, signature gatherers for the Affordable Housing Act have gathered about 25 percent of the 365,880 signatures they need to have by June in order to put the initiative on the ballot.

To not miss a beat, the Rent Control Board Thursday will debate a tandem local measure which, if approved, would immediately give the RCB power to dictate rents in thousands of units across the city.

Read More: http://smdp.com/local-leaders-to-consider-rent-control-reform/165039