Santa Barbara City Council to Consider Temporary Rent Increase Moratorium

Santa Barbara rent freeze approved, residents share mixed reactions

Renters in Santa Barbara could see temporary relief after the city council voted to approve a moratorium on rent increases across much of the city.The council approved the measure in a 43 vote. The temporary rent freeze will stop rent increases for up to one year while city officials work on a permanent rent stabilization ordinance expected to be considered in 2026.Supporters of the moratorium say rising housing costs have made it increasingly d…

Split Santa Barbara Council Supports Temporary Rent Freeze During Lengthy Meeting

In a split vote, the Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday supported a temporary rent freeze, but it won’t go into effect immediately, city leaders decided after an emotionally charged, lengthy and packed discussion.  The proposed rent freeze needed five affirmative votes for it to be considered an emergency and go into effect immediately.  However, it received only four votes in support — from council members Meagan Harmon, Wendy Santamaria, Kr…

Santa Barbara City Council to Consider Temporary Rent Increase Moratorium

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) Renters and landlords packed the first Santa Barbara City Council meeting of the year. Many of them filled out public comment slips to weigh in on tenant protections. The council heard a couple of hours of comments in the afternoon and then invited more at 5 p.m., when many people get off work. At issue is whether the city council will consider a rent increase moratorium or freeze before they vote on a rent stabiliza…