| Hi Friend,
The fight for rent stabilization in Santa Barbara has been years in the making, built by our community that keeps showing up, organizing, and building power together.Through long meetings, countless conversations, public comments, and years of organizing, we kept showing up and building power together. And last week, that persistence paid off: Santa Barbara City Council adopted the rent stabilization ordinance!
Make a one-time or monthly donation to help us keep building on this historic victory!
This victory didn’t happen overnight. It is the result of years of dedication, organizing, and collective action by our leaders, tenants, and community members who refused to give up on the fight for huge advancements in tenant protections. This milestone is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we organize, stay committed, and push for change together. There is still more work ahead, including the upcoming Just Cause ordinance, but this is a historic victory – our community deserves to celebrate!
Unfortunately, our fight isn’t over. The Santa Barbara Rental Property Association (SBRPA) is already attempting to overthrow the will of the people and is reportedly paying out-of-town signature gatherers to collect signatures for a referendum challenging rent stabilization. But we are prepared – after years of community organizing to win these protections, we’re ready to keep showing up and defending our progress.
We built this victory together, and protecting it takes all of us. Please share this information with your neighbors, friends, and networks. If you’re approached by signature gatherers, take a moment to understand what you’re being asked to sign before making a decision.
If you’ve already signed the referendum petition it’s not too late to withdraw your signature to stand with tenants – linked here is how to withdraw a petition signature.
Of course our organizing doesn’t stop here. We must stay engaged to ensure rent stabilization is implemented well. We’ve seen what we can accomplish when we organize together – and we’ll need that same collective power for the work ahead.
Keep building our power
- Volunteer with CAUSE. Email angeliza@causenow.org to learn how you can help inform community members about the referendum effort and mobilize to protect rent stabilization.
- Show up for Just Cause protections. We are continuing the call for strong Just Cause, tenant safety plans, and other protections that prevent displacement for everyone. Join us in the fight for stronger Just Cause eviction tenant protections by showing up to City Council on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 4:00PM – learn more here.
- Help shape the future of rent stabilization. Apply to serve on the City of Santa Barbara Rent Stabilization Board – a hard-fought board we created together! The deadline to apply is December 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Let us know you might apply by emailing ana@causenow.org and visit this website to learn more.
While we’re already hitting the ground running on what’s next, let’s not forget: We made history by passing one of the strongest rent stabilization policies in the nation, making real impacts that will transform the lives of thousands of working families for generations in the future.
Onward, together,
Lucas Zucker and Hazel Davalos
Co-Executive Directors, CAUSE
P.S. This victory took years of organizing, and protecting it will take continued community power. Your contributions help sustain the organizing, outreach, and mobilization we need to defend and build on rent stabilization. Will you make a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, or $1,000+ to help protect what we’ve won and keep building our power? |
