An attempt to impose strict rent control on any apartment built before 1995 in Redwood City appears to have failed in Tuesday’s election.
Returns Wednesday show 8,164 “no” votes compared to 6,348 “yes” votes for a ratio of 56%-44%.
Measure E would have reduced rent increases beyond the existing limits of state rent control.
Opponents said the measure would stop development of more housing — at a time when new apartments are in short supply.
Moreover, Measure E would have created a new city bureaucracy to police apartment rents. Landlords would be charged by the city to staff this new organization, but it’s likely property owners would have passed the fees on to tenants. It would have cost $84 to $120 per apartment per year.
The organization behind Measure E, Faith in Action Bay Area, describes itself as a purely “grassroots” effort. However, it is an affiliate of the powerful national Faith in Action network, supported by the Open Society Foundation funded by billionaire George Soros.
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