More States Look to Expand Tenant Protections

Cities and states around the country are reconsidering decades-old bans on rent control.

1 minute read

March 20, 2019, 11:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Tenants' Rights

a katz / Shutterstock

In light of Oregon becoming the first state to implement statewide rent control and just-cause eviction protections, Governing's J. Brian Charles looks at momentum in New York, Chicago, and Colorado to overturn bans or restrictions on rent regulation policies.

The issue is partly informed by a movement toward local control. In New York, only 51 of nearly 1,000 municipalities in the state are allowed to apply rent control to any form of housing, Charles reports; a package of bills in the state legislature would allow all cities to choose whether to implement rent regulations.

In Chicago, activists say the city's 22-year-old ban on rent control is also an issue of racial and economic justice. Nearly two-thirds of Black residents in the state are renters, according to Governing, compared to 27 percent of white residents.

Colorado's statewide ban on rent control goes back about 30 years. There, proponents of overturning the ban say cities should be able to turn to rent regulation as one option in a policy toolkit aimed at providing both short-term relief and long-term housing affordability.

Even in California, where a move to repeal statewide limitations on rent control recently failed, a package of rent reform bills is continuing the policy push toward statewide tenant protections.

Monday, March 4, 2019 in Governing

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City