GUEST OPINION
A signature gatherer at a Pasadena home (Photo – Richard Filipe)
A group of landlords calling themselves “Pasadena Housing Providers” (PHP) has hired signature gatherers to qualify their measure for a future ballot. You will see them outside grocery stores and perhaps even knocking on your door.
By Ryan Bell
Make no mistake: the goal of PHP’s measure is to repeal rent control and eviction protections. The title of PHP’s measure makes this clear: “Pasadena Fair Housing Charter Amendment – Repeal and Replace Rent Stabilization and Eviction Protections in Pasadena City Charter, and Repeal Ordinance 7417.”
Ordinance 7417 created the Pasadena Rent Stabilization Department, which has likely helped thousands of people remain housed during its first three years.
According to the language of the measure, its ultimate goal is to repeal all tenant protections contained in Article XVIII of the City Charter by the end of 2038.
This is a bold move, and it appears that the only way PHP can sell this measure is by telling voters that it is pro-tenant and supports rent control. Dozens of residents have contacted me and reported being told by signature gatherers that PHP’s measure would do all sorts of things that are untrue or misleading.
The following is a small sample of the misleading claims residents have reported.
Claim: PHP’s measure supports and protects rent control.
Misleading. Pasadena’s Measure H established rent control in 2022. Nothing in PHP’s measure improves protections for tenants. While PHP’s measure would preserve Pasadena’s current limit on rent increases initially, it would eliminate rent control after 10 years. It also weakens other parts of Measure H, including enforcement, relocation assistance, and tenant representation on the Board. It also would repeal protections against landlord harassment and retaliation.
Claim: PHP’s measure will create just-cause eviction protections.
False. Pasadena tenants already have strong just-cause eviction protections because of Measure H. PHP’s proposed measure removes protections. Currently, nearly all housing units, with limited exceptions, are protected from evictions where the tenant is not at fault. PHP’s measure would exempt single-family homes, condos, and all units built after 1995; tenants in those homes could be evicted with 60 days’ notice for no stated reason.
Claim: PHP’s measure would put more tenants on the Board; currently, it’s evenly split between landlords and tenants.
False. This is the exact opposite of what PHP’s measure would do. Currently, the Board has 7 tenant seats out of 11 total members, meaning tenants hold 63% of the seats—very close to the actual percentage of renters in Pasadena. PHP’s measure would create a Board with equal numbers of tenants and landlords. We do not know exactly how many Pasadena voters are landlords, but we do know that approximately 59% of households in the city are renters. A Board with 7 tenant members out of 11 seats reflects that reality.
Claim: Tenants will receive $300.
False. (I am not making this up; one tenant reported being told this at her door.) Not only is it illegal to offer compensation in exchange for someone’s signature, but nothing in PHP’s measure would provide cash payments to tenants.
Claim: PHP’s measure would cap rent increases at $118 per year.
False. The dollar amount comes from Section 1837 of PHP’s measure, which caps certain fees charged to landlords at $118. It has nothing to do with limits on rent increases.
Tenant groups report seeing similar tactics, funded by real estate interests, in campaigns across California. That does not make it any less concerning in this case. Voters should be cautious of signature gatherers who may not understand the measure they are promoting and who repeat claims that are misleading in order to obtain signatures.
If you care about housing stability, do not sign this petition. If you have already signed it and later regret doing so, you can remove your signature. Click here, print and complete the form, sign it in ink (digital signatures are not accepted), and submit it to the City Clerk.
Ryan Bell is a Pasadena resident and housing policy advocate who serves on the Pasadena Rental Housing Board. The views expressed here are his own and do not represent the official position or views of the Pasadena Rental Housing Board.
Leave a Reply