Sentinel staff report–
The five candidates running for three seats up for election on the Citrus Heights City Council this year don’t always agree — but when it comes to rent control, the candidates tend to hold similar positions.
Candidates were asked for their position on rent control in a recent questionnaire sent out by The Sentinel earlier this month in light of Proposition 10 being on the ballot this year, an effort seeking to give local governments more authority to enact rent control on all types of rental housing.
So where do the candidates stand on Prop 10? Each candidate was asked to answer the following question and invited to reply with a written statement of 100 words or less. Their answers are included below:
Question: If Prop 10 passes, would you be in favor of implementing rent control in Citrus Heights?
Jeannie Bruins: “I support affordable rents, but rent control is not the answer. I experienced the result of rent control when I lived in Southern California and it did not give the result it promised. Rather, it resulted in properties not being maintained, which affected entire neighborhoods. Renters abandoned properties and moved on. It caused a downward spiral in property values and quality of life. I do not want to see that for Citrus Heights.”
Al Fox: “I do not support rent control beyond the scope already provided in the law Prop 10 wants to overturn. Rent control has never succeeded as intended, has created poverty pockets within communities and devalued the larger real estate market. The cost of building new more modern multi family units will cost more than rental rates will support. Rent control laws also require new government bureaucracies to oversee and regulate.”
Porsche Middleton: “Before any decision is made to implement rent control in Citrus Heights, there needs to be a critical review and evaluation that allows for open community engagement and input. I believe that continuing to develop infill areas, establishing a fee structure for commercial and residential building in conjunction with having a percentage of affordable units will yield greater inclusion of affordable housing and economic growth in our community but I am open to a community wide discussion on the stabilization of rent for those who are most venerable in our community low income families, seniors, veterans and the disabled.”
Treston Shull: “I oppose Prop 10 because it will reduce housing options while increasing cost.”
Steve Miller: “I am not in favor of rent control. Citrus Heights cannot afford to defend enacting a rent control ordinance from legal challenges and lawsuits over such things as actual fair market rental rates. And I believe rent control would discourage any further affordable rental housing and result in lack of upkeep and maintenance to our existing affordable housing stock, creating even more blight in our City.”
*To learn where all the candidates running for Citrus Heights City Council stand on nine local issues, see article: See where Citrus Heights City Council candidates stand on local issues.
