A petition centered around rent control in Pittsburg was shared with the Los Medanos College campus April 30. The Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) organized the event and reached out to students.
The purpose was to allow a three percent cap for renters to charge a certain price for those in low-income housing. The price range of the proposed cap isn’t finalized yet due to the petition still looking for signatures.
“We need the rent control desperately,” petition organizer Nicole Arrington said. “We put it on the ballot since we couldn’t get it passed by city council so now the people have a chance to speak.”
ACCE had done something similar in Antioch to allow a cap. The petition prevents unfair evictions and only changes if a vote from the people amends it.
Student Erica White said the petition sheds light on a valid issue. She added “It’s bad enough not getting paid enough and having to pay for food and other things.”
In Pittsburg, there are about 70,000 people who live in the community and if the petition acquires all the signatures then the rent control bill will be placed on the November ballot for all registered voters.
“Inflation is at an all-time high,” said student Ashley Rady. “It’s hard enough for rent prices to be sky high and with the Bay Area it’s unlikely to buy a house under a million dollars which is screwing over the middle class.”
“Housing should be affordable and accessible to everybody,” student Leo Chadarria said, “Especially to those that need it most.”
