California could consider an anti-rent gouging bill, a policy with key distinctions from rent control that also inform a more complete understanding of Oregon's recently approved statewide tenant protections bill.

Matt Levin writes about efforts in the state of California to mitigate the effects of the ongoing housing affordability crisis by adopting a anti-rent gouging policy similar to that one just approved in Oregon.
Interestingly, most media outlets, including this one, have characterized the Oregon legislation as a statewide rent control bill. According to Levin, the difference is that the Oregon bill "focuses on the most flagrant rent hikes—typically 10 percent or more."
"Anti-gouging proposals would give landlords a lot more wiggle room than traditional rent control. The Oregon plan would allow landlords to raise rents up to 7 percent annually plus inflation—had it been in effect last year, rent hikes would have been capped at about 10 percent. In Portland, that means the landlord charging the average rate of of [sic] $1,120 for a one-bedroom apartment could still increase the rent $100 a month," adds Levin.
The Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley proposed an anti-rent gouging policy last year, and the idea also has the support of CASA – The Committee to House the Bay Area.
The big remaining question, then, is how many units in California could potentially be affected by an anti-rent gouging bill, and that depends on the Costa-Hawkins Act. Interestingly, the number of renters that would be protected by the recently approved rent cap in Oregon is far smaller that might be expected of a statewide bill, as explained in the source article.
FULL STORY: If California pursues a cap on rent increases, how many tenants will it actually help?

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

San Francisco Opens Park on Former Great Highway
The Sunset Dunes park’s grand opening attracted both fans and detractors.

Oregon Legislature to Consider Transit Funding Laws
One proposal would increase the state’s payroll tax by .08% to fund transit agencies and expand service.

Housing Vouchers as a Key Piece of Houston’s Housing Strategy
The Houston Housing Authority supports 19,000 households through the housing voucher program.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service