---

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/a2/071g-a2607f37.jpg)

 [ HOUSING ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=429)

#  California Apartment Association Gears Up for Rent Control Battle in Redwood City

September 03 2026

Written by Patrick Range McDonald.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT - The California Apartment Association and many of the largest corporate landlords in the United States are now gearing up to kill a [pro-rent control ballot measure in Redwood City](https://www.housingisahumanright.org/redwood-city-activists-and-tenants-move-closer-to-much-needed-rent-control-victory/). Last month, the powerful lobbying group, using corporate landlord money, made a contribution of $20,000 to stop the local initiative. The CAA has long been known to travel anywhere in California to stop the passage of new tenant protections, especially rent control.

For years, Redwood City tenants have been rocked by skyrocketing rents, with the city council refusing to take any meaningful steps to address the local housing affordability crisis. In response, tenants and activists, led by Faith in Action Bay Area, successfully placed a measure on the local November ballot to cap annual rent hikes at five percent for qualified units and to provide other protections.

Due to the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing, a highly controversial state law that places restrictions on rent control policies, the measure applies only to units built before February 1995. If passed, the initiative will cover around 19 percent of Redwood City’s housing stock.

The signature drive to place the measure on the ballot was overwhelmingly embraced by Redwood City residents – tenants and activists collected more than 7,500 signatures.

“The number of signatures we collected speaks for itself: Redwood City wants rent control,” organizer and resident Clara Jaecket told [The Daily Journal](https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/local/redwood-city-voters-to-decide-rent-control-measure-in-november/article_c504af68-f623-48ef-8771-85818ec4c531.html). “We’re excited that now the voters will finally have a direct say on affordability, stability for hard-working families, and the chance to stop the displacement of our neighbors.”

The public’s embrace of the rent control measure has the California Apartment Association and corporate landlords concerned — and they’ve set up a political committee to kill the initiative: No on Measure E – Protect Affordable Housing in Redwood City, A Project of California Apartment Association. On August 25, according to state filings, the [CAA sent $20,000](https://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1388537&view=late2) to that committee.

The big-money contribution came from the California Apartment Association Issues Committee, one of four political committees operated by the CAA and largely funded by corporate landlords. Essex Property Trust, AvalonBay Communities, and Equity Residential are just some of the companies that have delivered enormous amounts of campaign cash to the CAA’s Issues Committee.

The [California Apartment Association Issues Committee](https://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1388537&view=late2&session=2023) was also used to fund a political committee that stopped Proposition 33 in 2024, which aimed to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act and end statewide rent control restrictions. AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the parent organization of Housing Is A Human Right, sponsored the Yes on Prop 33 campaign.

The California Apartment Association and corporate landlords, whose executives sit on the CAA’s board of directors, are known for spending major cash to carry out slick misinformation campaigns and to buy political endorsements. (Read: [“Exposé: Big Real Estate’s Money Trails to Kill the Expansion of Rent Control in California.”](https://macdomhnalls.substack.com/p/expose-big-real-estates-money-trails))

So, in Redwood City, the Yes on Measure E campaign will have its hands full. Already the Redwood City Council has sided with the CAA and corporate landlords by officially opposing the initiative rather than stand with middle- and working-class tenants. And the CAA will relentlessly roll out misleading anti-rent control arguments that a [group of top economists found to be wrong](https://www.housingisahumanright.org/economists-say-rent-control-works/) and obsolete.

But it’s clear that Redwood City voters must vote “yes” on Measure E. The rent is not only too high, but Big Real Estate will also keep charging excessive rents without rent control to rein in predatory landlords.

*[(Patrick Range McDonald](https://patrickrangemcdonald.com/about-patrick-range-mcdonald/) is a veteran investigative reporter and the award-winning advocacy journalist for Housing Is A Human Right.)*

 [ ![save up to 4000 on used evs](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![Your Free DIY Lawn-To-Garden Resource](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/LADWP_LEAP_300x250.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/88 "LA DWP - Home")

 [ ![Pay Water Bill Help](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20-%20cares-ad.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")

 [ ![Donna Tryfman](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/Donna-Tryfman-Ad-Final-Complete-Border-White-Margin.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 First Name

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/a9/070g-a9407aaa.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

### [They Said It Made No Sense. Then They Voted Yes.](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - Sacramento has streamlined housing approvals so aggressively that residents rarely get a heari…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/20/070h-20f29015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

### [Trump World. From Assassination Abroad to Chaos at Home](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - We’re at a moment when all sorts of political questions are coming to a head. And if that old phrase…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/88/071n-88bb0b90.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=312)

### [Follow the Money: How Does a $3,662 Apartment Become “Affordable Housing”?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=312)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - ED 1 Is Redeveloping Los Angeles—One Neighborhood at a Time You know that persistent, annoyin…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/44/071d-441a7ed2.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

### [As California Debated Sharing Data On Drivers, Homeland Security Subpoenaed 17 Million Records](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

TECHNOLOGY - California lawmakers wrestled with a difficult question earlier this summer: Could the state safely share…

---

##  [ HOUSING ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=429)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071g.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33307:california-apartment-association-gears-up-for-rent-control-battle-in-redwood-city&catid=429)### [California Apartment Association Gears Up for Rent Control Battle in Redwood City](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33307:california-apartment-association-gears-up-for-rent-control-battle-in-redwood-city&catid=429)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065e.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33217:governor-newsom-the-buck-stops-with-you-on-housing&catid=429)### [Governor Newsom: The Buck Stops With You on Housing](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33217:governor-newsom-the-buck-stops-with-you-on-housing&catid=429)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/063o.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33187:what-californias-2026-adu-law-changes-mean-for-la-homeowners&catid=429)### [What California's 2026 ADU Law Changes Mean for LA Homeowners](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33187:what-californias-2026-adu-law-changes-mean-for-la-homeowners&catid=429)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/062e.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33165:will-los-angeles-politicians-fix-city-halls-bizarro-bureaucracy-and-save-lives&catid=429)### [Will Los Angeles Politicians Fix City Hall’s Bizarro Bureaucracy and Save Lives?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33165:will-los-angeles-politicians-fix-city-halls-bizarro-bureaucracy-and-save-lives&catid=429)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/060m.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33137:how-to-build-a-house-without-costly-surprises&catid=429)### [How to Build a House Without Costly Surprises](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33137:how-to-build-a-house-without-costly-surprises&catid=429)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>