Success Alert: SCRHA-Opposed Rent Cap Bill Dead for The Year
SCRHA is pleased to share that AB 1157 (Kalra), the bill that would have lowered the statewide rent cap even further, will not be moving forward this year. The bill would have also removed the single-family home exemption and made the Tenant Protection Act permanent. The bill moved out of the Assembly Housing Committee last week, but it was clear that it would have significant challenges moving forward. Again, SCRHA thanks the hundreds of members who contacted members of the committee to voice their concerns.
Join us at the Rental Housing Conference & EXPO on May 8 for a Legislative Update on this bill and many more!
Read the bill author’s press release below.
Assemblymember Kalra Announces Update on AB 1157 Affordable Rent Act
For immediate release:
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Kalra and co-sponsors withdrew Assembly Bill (AB) 1157, the Affordable Rent Act, from consideration. AB 1157 would strengthen tenant protections statewide by updating the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) in three key ways: lowering the rent increase cap, extending tenant protections to all single-family homes, and making these safeguards permanent.
“I am grateful my colleagues on the Assembly Housing Committee acknowledged the pressing need to take action to support tenants statewide and stabilize the rental market. However, the robust debate coupled with subsequent discussions with Judiciary Committee members signaled more time is needed to work on the bill,” said Assemblymember Kalra. “I am thankful to our coauthors who stand with me against the corporate landlord lobby and I am appreciative of the hard work of our passionate sponsors and diverse support coalition. As we enter an economic downturn and vulnerable Californians enter more dire financial situations, we must guide our policies with empathy for one another, especially as it pertains to keeping families in their homes. In the 4th largest economy in the world, systemic inequality continues to weigh down millions of Californians. Yet, we must keep up the fight—housing is a human right!”
AB 1157 will become a two-year bill. The Affordable Rent Act aims to balance landlords' and tenants' interests by allowing modest annual rent increases while easing the financial burden on renters facing high costs in California. The bill excludes newly constructed properties in their first 15 years of occupancy to address concerns around impacts to housing development. By stabilizing the rental market, AB 1157 seeks to help families remain in their homes and enhance local economies by reducing commute times, increasing disposable income, and supporting local businesses.
The Affordable Rent Act is co-authored by Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), Sade Elhawary (D-South Los Angeles), Robert Garcia (D-Rancho Cucamonga), Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), Alex Lee (D-San José), Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), and Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) and Senator Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles). The bill is co-sponsored by the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), Housing Now! CA, PICO California, Public Advocates, and UNITE HERE Local 11.