Southern California Housing Market Faces Regulatory Hurdles and New Rent Control Measures

In Southern California, state housing regulators have found that fewer than a third of cities and counties are on track to permit enough 'above moderate' units, which typically refers to market-rate housing, according to reports from the state housing department. Separately, a city council voted to place three rent-control charter amendments on the November ballot, including expanded eviction protections and updates to the Rent Control Board.

The state housing department assigns localities goals to match expected population growth and address the shortage of affordable housing. The city council's adoption of new rent control and just-cause eviction laws introduces significant regulatory changes to the local housing market.