Those who don’t live or own property in the city of Long Beach often assume there’s a citywide rent control ordinance. Without doing any research, who could blame them? After all, being surrounded by rent increase freeze policies from neighboring cities, Los Angeles County’s never-ending COVID Tenant Protections, plus years of Democratic control of the mayor’s office and city council, it all adds up. Except it doesn’t. Not even Common Core Math can make it add up. 

So, what gives? Fortunately, Long Beach has a history of recognizing the importance of both business and property owner communities. In 2018, a pro-rent control group attempted to place citywide rent control on the ballot but failed to gather enough signatures. And in 2019, the city considered mobilehome rent control, but council members were open-minded and took meetings with engaging parkowners and WMA to understand the mobilehome landscape in Long Beach. In the end, rent control was unanimously defeated. 

Despite recent history, it is difficult to ignore the adoption of nearby rent control ordinances and trends, which could encourage rent control advocacy groups. About 15 miles southeast on the 22 Freeway, Santa Ana passed an onerous rent control ordinance and fired up rent control proponents. A recent University of Southern California Lusk Center for Real Estate report found 60% of Long Beach residents are renters; vacancies have dipped to under 5%, a trend that mirrors Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, and the Inland Empire. 
According to Lusk Center of Real Estate Director Richard Greene, “The biggest driver of rents next quarter is vacancy in the previous quarter, so when vacancy is low, rents go up.” This, plus high inflation, is a significant factor in the projected increases, which the report forecasts will happen more quickly than was typically seen before the pandemic. This potent combination will attract new and old rent control advocates to Long Beach for another go at it. 

The good news is WMA and parkowners have developed relationships with the new mayor and key city council members. The mayor and two council members publicly stated they oppose rent control and nearly all would at least meet with parkowners and WMA and genuinely listen to our point of view. So, while the threat of rent control in Long Beach may not be a matter of if, but when, parkowners and WMA remain vigilant and poised to fight and win.

Jarryd Gonzales is WMA’s Regional Representative for Central/Southern California, and may be reached at jarryd@goodgroup.com.