Fighting for Housing Justice Stand With Renters Keep Salinas Our Home Petition Qualified Vote NO This November Fighting for Housing Justice Stand With Renters Keep Salinas Our Home Petition Qualified Vote NO This November

On November 3, vote NO to keep rent stabilization & tenant protections. Why NO?

🎉 Petition Qualified — 2026 Campaign

Vote to Protect Salinas Renters

On November 3, 2026, vote NO to keep Salinas' rent stabilization and tenant protections. A NO vote stops the repeal — stand with your neighbors. Every voice counts. Take action today.

CONTRIBUTE VOLUNTEER REGISTER TO VOTE

$2,508

Avg. Monthly Rent 24% above national avg.

$89,150

Median Household Income Rent takes 34% of income

+$208

Annual Rent Increase Last year alone (2024–2025)

77%

Family Households Rent 17,624 families at risk

November 3, 2026 Ballot

To protect renters, vote NO

On November 3, Salinas votes on Ordinance No. 2687, which would repeal the four ordinances that protect renters and stabilize rents. A NO vote rejects the repeal and keeps all four in place. A YES vote repeals them.

Vote NO

Keeps your protections

Rent stabilization, just-cause eviction, anti-harassment, and rental registration all stay in effect — exactly as they are today.

Vote YES

Repeals your protections

Removes all four tenant-protection ordinances and lets rents and evictions go unchecked.

What you'll see on the ballot — Ordinance No. 2687

Shall Ordinance No. 2687, which repeals the Residential Rental Registration Ordinance, the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, the Tenant Protection and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, and the Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance, be adopted?

A “NO” vote is to vote against the measure and to keep the four Rent Ordinances in effect.

A “YES” vote is to vote in favor of the measure and to repeal the four Rent Ordinances.

— Salinas City Attorney's plain-language summary

The ballot wording can be confusing — so remember: a NO vote is a vote to keep the protections renters have today.

See what renters stand to lose →

Upcoming Deadline

November 3, 2026

Make sure you're registered and ready to vote.

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Petition Qualifies for
Voter Referendum

The Monterey County Registrar of Voters has verified signatures on the petition, with 7,156 valid signatures out of 10,448 collected — exceeding the required 6,998 signatures. The petition was submitted by Protect Salinas Renters on July 3. Since then, all four tenant-related ordinances, including the rent stabilization policy, have remained in place despite the city council voting to repeal them earlier this spring.

City Council's Two Options

"Repeal the repeal" — Take back the June ordinance that repealed the four tenant-related ordinances.

Put it to voters — Hold a special election or wait for the general municipal election (Nov. 3, 2026).

Protected Ordinances

No. 2663 Residential Rental Registration

No. 2681 Rent Stabilization

No. 2682 Tenant Protection & Just Cause Eviction

No. 2683 Tenant Anti-Harassment

⚠️ If a special election is chosen, it must be held no sooner than 88 days from November 10 and would incur additional election-related costs for the city.

Read Full Article →

Signature Count

10,448

Collected Signatures

Total gathered by volunteers

7,156

Valid Signatures

Verified by Monterey County

Goal: 6,998 signatures 102.3% ✓

0 Required: 6,998 10,448

Council Report Days until council must act on petition results

Resources

Housing Assistance Programs

City of Salinas Housing Programs

City of Salinas

Pilot Rental Assistance Program

Programa Piloto de Asistencia para el Pago de la Renta

From December 15, 2025 to June 30, 2026, or until program funds are exhausted, RAP will provide short-term financial relief and supportive services to residents of the City of Salinas facing eviction due to non-payment of rent. All rental assistance payments will be made directly to landlords to ensure timely support and proper use of funds.

Eligibility Criteria

Must be a resident of the City of Salinas

First-time recipient of Homeless Prevention assistance from the City

Valid 12-month lease for the rental unit

Provide a 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit

Household income at or below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI)

No more than three months behind on rent

Not currently receiving rental subsidies or financial assistance from another program

Must agree to participate in Rental Counseling with ECHO Housing

Landlord must be willing to participate with the program

Review & Processing Timeline

7 Approved/denied applicants receive written notice within 7 days of completed application.

↻ Estimated payment timeline generally 2–4 weeks, depending on internal processing.

10 Denied applicants may request a secondary review within 10 business days of the denial notice.

⚠️ Please keep in mind that the duration of this assistance is a one-time payment.

How to Apply

Call (831) 758-4269 to schedule an appointment, or email: sorthomelessprevention@salinas.gov

Learn More & Apply →

City of Salinas

Mortgage Assistance Program for First Time Homebuyers

Programa de Asistencia para el Pago Inicial de Hipoteca para Compradores de Vivienda por Primera Vez

Over $1 million in funds is being allocated to offer assistance for first time homebuyers in Salinas, offering down payment support of up to $125,000 to those who meet income and residency requirements. Approved by City Council on January 27, 2026.

Program Details

Administered by the City's Community Development Department in partnership with local lenders, realtors, and community organizations.

Participants must complete a homebuyer education course.

Applications accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Initial funding anticipated to assist up to 10 households, with funds recycled to support future homebuyers.

Implementation anticipated in FY 2026–2027, with full funds committed by June 30, 2030.

Funded through existing Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funding.

Learn More →

Housing Emergency

The Salinas Rent Crisis by the Numbers

Hard data reveals why families are being priced out of their own community.

$2,508

Average Monthly Rent

24% higher than national average

$89,150

Median Household Income

Rent takes 34% of income

+$208

Annual Rent Increase

Last year alone (2024–2025)

53%

Of Residents Rent

85,700+ people affected

77%

Family Households Rent

17,624 families at risk

57%

Rentals Have Children

12,923 households with kids

Housing Costs Since 2020 +82%

+82%

Wage Growth Since 2020 +24%

+24%

Who's Being Hurt Most

12,923

Rental households with children under 18

57.4%

Of residents are Hispanic/Latino families

$47K

Median income for full-time workers

The Math Doesn't Work for Working Families When rent takes more than a third of income, families face impossible choices between housing, food, healthcare, and their children's future. Rent stabilization gives families breathing room and keeps Salinas affordable for the people who built this community. 34% of income goes to rent

Rental Market Data

Zillow Rental Manager (May 2025)

Zumper National Rent Report

Point2Homes Rental Market Analysis

Income & Demographics

U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023

DataUSA.io

City of Salinas Income Limits 2024

Housing Affordability

California LAO Housing Tracker

Redfin Rental Affordability Report

USC Casden Real Estate Forecast

The Case For It

Why Rent Stabilization Matters

Protecting families, preserving communities, and ensuring housing remains affordable for everyone.

Families can stay in their homes

Families can stay in their homes and communities without fear of sudden, unaffordable rent hikes that force them to abandon the neighborhoods they've built their lives in.

55% of Salinas residents are renters — over 85,000 people directly affected

1 of 6

Children stay in the same schools

Children can stay in the same schools, and families maintain their support networks and community ties — giving every child a stable foundation to grow and succeed.

3% maximum annual increase allowed — predictable, fair, and manageable

2 of 6

Live where you work

Teachers, nurses, service workers, and other essential employees can afford to live where they work — keeping Salinas's workforce rooted in the community it serves.

100% of communities benefit from a stable, locally-rooted workforce

3 of 6

Lower turnover, stronger neighborhoods

Stable housing creates stronger neighborhoods with lower turnover and better community engagement — people invest in places they can afford to stay in long-term.

40% reduction in forced moves in cities with rent stabilization

4 of 6

Budget better, invest in the future

Predictable housing costs allow families to budget better and invest in their future and local economy — money stays in Salinas instead of disappearing into rent increases.

30% of income is the healthy maximum that should go to rent

5 of 6

Fair for landlords and tenants alike

Landlords can still increase rents annually and petition for fair rate of return, while tenants are protected from sudden gouging — a balanced approach that works for everyone.

100% balanced solution protecting both tenant stability and landlord returns

6 of 6

The Bottom Line

Rent stabilization isn't about stopping progress — it's about ensuring that progress includes everyone. When working families can afford to stay in their communities, everyone benefits.

— Housing Policy Expert

reasons it matters

Myth vs. Fact

Setting the Record Straight

Separating myth from reality about rent stabilization.

Myth

Rent stabilization stops new construction

This common misconception ignores the reality of what's happening in cities across California that have successfully implemented these policies.

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Fact

New apartments and homes continue to be built

Plenty of cities have already passed rent stabilization and tenant protections and there's still new construction. The data proves development continues in these communities.

Myth

Landlords are hurt by these policies

Many landlords and community members are often misinformed about how rent stabilization actually works and the fair rate of return process.

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Fact

It's a balanced approach with fair returns

Rent stabilization includes provisions for landlords to petition for fair rate of return, ensuring they can recover legitimate expenses while protecting tenants.

Fair & Balanced

Rent stabilization puts reasonable limits on annual rent increases, giving renters peace of mind while allowing landlords a fair rate of return. It's about creating balance in our community.

Proven Success

Rent stabilization and tenant protections are already working in many cities across California. These communities still see new construction and development while protecting existing residents.

Stronger Communities

Stable housing creates stronger families, safer neighborhoods, and more opportunities for everyone. When people can stay in their homes, communities thrive.

Real Stories

Voices from Our Community

In their own words — what rent stabilization means for real Salinas families.

Hi, my name is Maria, and I'm a senior living right here in Salinas. I've lived here for over 20 years. This is where I raised my family, where I shop, where I know my neighbors. The rent goes up faster than my Social Security check. Rent stabilization is about fairness — putting reasonable limits on rent increases so seniors like me can age in place with dignity.

Maria, Senior Resident — 20+ years in Salinas

I'm a student getting ready to leave for college — and honestly, I'm excited. But I'm also worried. Not for me, but for my parents. Rent keeps going up, and every year it gets harder for them to keep our home. Rent stabilization would protect families like mine. It would mean my parents don't have to fear a huge rent hike while I'm away at school. This isn't just about housing. It's about our future.

Carlos, College Student

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about rent stabilization in Salinas

Which way do I vote to protect renters?

Vote NO. The measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot is Ordinance No. 2687, which would repeal all four of Salinas' renter-protection ordinances. Per the Salinas City Attorney: a “NO” vote keeps the four Rent Ordinances in effect, and a “YES” vote repeals them.

The wording can be confusing, so remember: NO keeps your protections.

Does rent stabilization stop new development?

Myth: Rent stabilization stops new construction.

Fact: Many cities across California have passed similar ordinances and still see new construction. The City of Salinas has already approved several areas for new construction in the Central and West areas, with over 5,000 units expected to be built over the next 10–20 years.

Does it hurt landlords?

The Salinas ordinance includes fair provisions for landlords through Section 17.02.07, which allows landlord petitions for rent increases when their costs go up. This ensures landlords can recover legitimate expenses while protecting tenants from unnecessary rent hikes.

How does rent stabilization work?

It's a balanced approach that gives stabilization for tenants while allowing landlords reasonable returns. The ordinance protects against excessive increases while providing a process for landlords to petition for fair adjustments when their expenses increase.

What about increasing housing supply?

While increasing supply is important, developers naturally control supply to ensure reasonable returns. Rent stabilization is one of many tools needed for strong communities, working alongside new development to create housing stability.