To the City Council of Culver City:

We are writing to support the proposed 12-month Rent Freeze. 

Culver City has a crippling housing crisis.  Rising rents bankrupt families, forcing them out of their homes. The housing crisis in Culver City will worsen as major employers including Google, Amazon, Apple and others expand and move into the City. Without a significant increase in the supply of housing at all income levels, Culver City’s rents will increase and residents’ housing needs will not be met. A 12-month Rent Freeze is a positive way to deal with the crisis in affordability.

Abundant Housing LA is committed to education and advocacy on the affordability, livability, and sustainability benefits of more housing. We want lower rents and a more sustainable and prosperous region, where everyone has more choices of where to live and how to pursue their dreams. Density, when well planned, can enhance the social and economic life of the city. We do educational outreach for policies, plans, and individual projects that improve the lives of all. 

Rent stabilization can help minimize displacement and economic hardship for renters today, but only new housing, including both affordable and market-rate homes, can improve affordability in the future. We need both, but we support this temporary rent freeze as Culver City develops plans to address medium- and long-term housing needs.