Board of Equalization Member Jerome E. Horton is working with Assemblyman Miguel Santiago to introduce legislation that will reduce the housing cost for renters.

A full-fledged housing crisis has gripped California, marked by a severe lack of affordable homes and apartments for seniors and middle-class families as a result of property values climbing to pre-recession levels.  The median cost of a home in California is now a staggering $500,000, twice the national median cost.

“Living in decent, affordable, and reasonably located housing is one of the most important determinants of well–being for every Californian. More than just basic shelter, housing affects our lives in other important ways, determining our access to work, education, recreation, shopping, and quality health care.” said Horton.  “If we don’t fix this, seniors and the poor to middle income families will be forced to leave California.”

As the Making Home Affordable Program, (HARP), signed into law by President Obama, is set to expire on December 31, 2018, now is the time for this type of legislation.  HARP helped homeowners refinance their mortgage with an average rate reduction of 2.1 percentage points, saving an average of more than $4,100 in interest during their first 12 months, or about $345 every month. Additionally, homeowners who refinance from 30 year fixed mortgages to 15 year fixed mortgages can save up to $145,000. For more information, visit here.

California has the third-lowest home ownership rate and the fourth highest rent in the country.  The decline in home purchases is generally related to higher rents as it becomes a challenge to save enough for a down payment.  There is a direct relationship between high rents and high home prices.  Additionally, studies find that housing costs are a burden on one’s finances when they surpass 30% of income.  According to a Public Policy Institute of California study, nearly one in three California renter households spends at least half of their income on rent.  While incomes have remained stagnant, rents in California continue to soar, resulting in many low- and middle-income workers cutting essential spending, which also hurts the State’s overall economy.

Even with rent control in cities like Santa Monica and Los Angeles, as of March 2018, the average rent for an apartment in Los Angeles is $2554, which is a 0.16% decrease from last year when the average rent was $2558, and a 1.64% increase from last month when the average rent was $2512.

“The cost of renting an apartment or home in California is as high as it’s ever been.  In fact, many millennials are moving from California because the dream of affordable housing seems so unlikely.  It’s necessary we do something to lower the cost of renting one’s residence in this state,” Horton said.

The average rent in California has increased 60% over the past 20 years.  The flat “renter’s credit” amount has not been adjusted since it was enacted in 1972.

Assembly Member Santiago testified at the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation:  “With the rising cost of rental housing in California, the expansion of the renter’s credit can increase access to housing for low-income families.”  The legislation passed out of the committee with a 9-0 bipartisan vote.  The bill now moves to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.

This bill will increase the nonrefundable renter’s credit to the greater of $60 allowed under current law or 10 percent of the median rent in the county where the property is occupied for individuals and $120 under current law or 20 percent of the median rent in the county where the property is occupied for joint filers, heads of households, and surviving spouses.

Please call your Congressional representatives and ask that they vote to renew the HARP program and the Assembly Committee on Appropriations at (916) 651-4101 to support increasing the renter’s credit.