Rent Control Supporters to Turn in Over 14,000 Signatures for Initiative Monday

On Monday, the grassroots, tenant-led campaign for rent control and just cause eviction protections will submit more than 14,000 valid signatures to place a charter amendment on the November 2022 ballot.

The campaign said it has mobilized 275 volunteers and worked every day for six months to gather signatures against great odds. Using “the best public health precautions available,” volunteers met neighbors in public places and at their homes. The coalition said the reception was “overwhelmingly” positive from the community and the coalition feels very optimistic about the passage of this charter amendment.

The group plans to hold a 3 p.m. City Hall press conference that will include City Councilmember Jess Rivas; campaign chairperson and tenant, Michelle White; City Council candidate and tenant, Brandon Lamar and tenant, PJ Johnson.

In a statement the group said, “With Pasadena rents up by 11% since the start of the pandemic (Apartment List Report, March 2022) and the Black and Latino population declining, it is clear that the runaway cost of rent is destroying the fabric of the community we love. The charter amendment the coalition has worked tirelessly on for 5 years will protect tenants while allowing landlords to make a profit as guaranteed by the California State Constitution.”