Pasadena rent control measure expected be on upcoming November ballot after receiving necessary signatures

Earlier this week, 15,352 signatures gathered by over 300 volunteers have been submitted by the Pasadena Rent Control campaign – all but solidifying their spot on the November ballot. Only 13,366 of these signatures need to be validated by the LA County Clerk for this measure to qualify for the midterm election in the fall.

“I am so inspired by the massive volunteer effort and positive response from residents,” said Councilmember Jess Rivas who endorsed the measure during the signature drive. “It’s clear that Pasadena residents want more protections for their neighbors and less displacement. And it couldn’t come at a better time.”

Citizens initiatives are rare in Pasadena, and rarer still are charter amendments, which need so many signatures that it is generally considered prohibitive. However, this charter amendment had enough community support to create a movement of over 300 volunteers and collected an impressive number of signatures.

Despite the pandemic, rents have risen at inordinate rates, sometimes exceeding 10% per year. Corporations have also purchased rental properties, only to harass tenants into leaving so they can raise rents for new tenants. The number of apartments affordable to those earning less than the median income ($85,000) for Pasadena has consistently declined.

“Pasadena is for families, diversity and community. It’s a place where people put down roots and meet their neighbors,” said Liberty McCoy, who along with her parents, has lived in Pasadena all her life. “All we want to do is make that easier for regular folks like essential workers, teachers, nurses, and families to stay in the city they love.”  

About half of Pasadena tenants are rent-burdened, meaning they pay over 30% of their income in rent. A quarter of the city’s tenants are severely rent-burdened; paying over 50% of their income in rent. According to statistical analysis of data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the American Community Survey, the risk of homelessness dramatically increases when rents surpass 30% of a household’s income. 

Burdensome rents also mean families struggle to afford other essentials like food, healthcare, education, and childcare. In fact, the presence of a child in the home is a significant predictor of eviction. Another at-risk group are Pasadena’s senior citizen renters who often live on fixed incomes and can be devastated by a rent increase or an eviction.

The tenant-led, corporate-free campaign raised $125,000 during their signature gathering efforts, mostly from small dollar donations.

“We can’t wait to bring the same enthusiasm, discipline and volunteer power to the rest of the campaign,” says Jane Panangaden, an organizer with the campaign looking ahead to the November ballot. “We’ve got momentum and we’re going to work every day until Election Day to make sure we win.”

To learn more about the campaign and how the Rent Control and Just Case charter amendment is expected to help Pasadena residents, visit www.pasadenatenantjustice.org.

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