While leaving themselves room to negotiate, contrasting views on the issue are evident in recent statements by 3rd dist. Councilwoman Suzie Price and 9th dist. Councilman Rex Richardson.
- In a March 31 mass emailing, Councilwoman Price writes in part:
[Price]...Everyone knows housing prices and rents have been rising throughout the state so it is important for the City to look at how we can help Long Beach residents stay housed. However, I have real problems with any policy that amounts to rent control, and disincentivizes property owners from reinvesting in their properties. Long Beach and California voters recently made their feelings known on rent control, strongly voting it down. Additionally, I think it is important for property owners to be able to control who their tenants are. No one wants to remove a good tenant, but if someone causes concerns then a property owner should have the right to remove someone causing problems affecting their other tenants.
Obviously housing, rental costs, and property rights are all big complex topics, so I look forward to the discussion with my colleagues Tuesday night...
- In a March 28 appearance at Liberation Brewing's monthly Beer & Politics session (video streamed by North Long Beach News, Councilman Richardson fielded a question about the upcoming Council item by stating:
[Richardson] ...I support development. I also lived my whole life as a renter. I was the first person to buy a home, it was my dream was to own a home, but I've lived as a renter and I did move around a lot and the reality is that if there's good renters and you're paying your rent and you're doing what you need to do and some external force causes you to leave, it's expensive to move...And if you've done what you need to do, if you don't have any problems, you're paying your rent, I think it's reasonable and fair to say, if a speculator comes in and buys your six unit place and wants to turn it into Airbnb or wants to turn it into a luxury apartment...the question is what is the process that smooths it out, that still allows some fair level of exchange, people want to sell their properties and you have to invest in properties, you want to do that, but how do you do it in a way that doesn't mass-displace people or create tragedies or exacerbate our homeless situation in the city. So I always go to what does my gut tell me. My gut tells me we have to do something...I haven't landed on what exactly is the answer...I'm inclined to pass a policy. I'm not of the mind to not do something. I want to do something...
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