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Board delays vote after extended debate over Justice for Renters Act (Costa Hawkins repeal)
Summary
Supervisors spent much of the meeting debating a resolution to support the Justice for Renters Act, a November 2024 ballot measure that would repeal the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act; the item was continued one week after members expressed sharply differing views.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on June 18 held an extended debate over a resolution supporting the Justice for Renters Act, a statewide ballot measure on Nov. 5, 2024 that would repeal the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act. After roughly two hours of discussion and public comment, the board voted to continue consideration of the item for one week.
Supervisor Stephanie said she would not support endorsing the state measure, calling it a “Trojan horse” and citing opposition from state legislators and some housing advocates. She quoted criticism from state lawmakers, saying the initiative could “freeze the creation of critically needed homes” and that opponents included Senator Toni Atkins and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks.
Supervisor Preston, who sponsored the resolution, urged colleagues to focus on the plain text: he said the Justice for Renters Act deletes Costa Hawkins from state law and would restore local authority to consider stronger or broader rent stabilization. “It would simply … allow cities to actually have a discussion about whether maybe we should have rent control on a unit that was built in 1980,” Preston said.
Other supervisors expressed divergent concerns. Supervisor Dorsey said a single sentence in the measure that limits state involvement in rent policy could be weaponized by “bad actors” in local governments to sidestep housing obligations. Supervisor Melgar and others said it was possible to be both pro‑housing and pro‑rent control and that repealing Costa Hawkins would reopen local policy options.
Supervisor Ronan described the issue as personal, recounting that rent control protected her family from homelessness as she grew up. Supervisor Chan asked for time to research the measure further and suggested a city attorney opinion.
After the debate, Supervisor Ronan moved — and the board seconded — a motion to continue the item for one week; without recorded roll call the board approved the continuance.
The resolution on the agenda would place the board on record in support of the statewide Justice for Renters Act, described in board documents as a repeal of the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act. Sponsors said the change would remove state preemption and restore local control over the scope of rent stabilization; opponents warned the change could be exploited by jurisdictions that oppose new housing and could reduce state authority to address harmful local policies.
Public commenters and multiple supervisors referenced a Politico article and statements by Huntington Beach city officials and other critics who have portrayed the measure as politically opportunistic. The board did not take a final vote on the resolution on June 18.
