Proposition 33 would let local governments set lower limits, giving renters more protection in areas where housing costs are spiraling out of control.
As rent prices keep rising across California, students at Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB) are feeling the pinch. Many students juggle full-time jobs, parenthood, and their academic workloads. The added stress of skyrocketing rent is forcing some to consider whether they can even afford to keep going to school. With Proposition 33 on the ballot, there’s a growing conversation about how rent control might ease some of that burden—or at least slow the relentless rise of rental costs.
So, what exactly is Proposition 33, and why should CSUSB students care? Proposition 33 is an initiative designed to expand rent control across California. If it passes, cities and counties will have more power to impose stricter rent control measures, potentially limiting how much landlords can raise rent each year. Right now, under Assembly Bill 1482, landlords can raise rent by 5% plus the rate of inflation, up to a maximum of 10% annually. Proposition 33 would let local governments set lower limits, giving renters more protection in areas where housing costs are spiraling out of control.
For students at CSUSB, many of whom commute from places like Riverside, Redlands, and Ontario, this could be a game-changer. The majority of students don’t live on campus, and finding affordable housing nearby is already difficult. Rent keeps going up, and wages, especially for part-time or minimum-wage jobs, aren’t keeping pace. Students who work 40-hour weeks to make ends meet are finding that a larger and larger chunk of their paycheck is going straight to their landlord, leaving little for anything else—like tuition, gas, or even food.
Take Brian, a third-year student who commutes from Rancho Cucamonga. He works full-time at a local restaurant and lives with three roommates to afford the rent. “I’m already stretched thin,” he says. “If the rent goes up again, I don’t know how I’m going to make it. Every time I think I’m getting ahead, I get hit with another increase.”
Proposition 33 could offer Brian and other students a layer of protection. If cities in the Inland Empire were allowed to set stricter limits on rent increases, students could find some financial breathing room. But here’s the catch: even if rent control laws stop landlords from hiking rents through the roof, they don’t solve the bigger problem—there just isn’t enough affordable housing to go around. For many CSUSB students, even rent-controlled apartments are still out of reach.
Most commuter students face a tough choice. Do they stay close to campus and pay higher rent, or do they move farther away and deal with the stress and cost of a longer commute? Either way, it’s a struggle. With gas prices fluctuating and traffic adding extra hours to their day, many students feel like they can’t win.
And then there’s the issue of housing availability. Rent control might keep prices down for existing tenants, but what about the thousands of students who are still searching for a place? Rent control doesn’t build new apartments. It doesn’t create more housing options for low-income renters, which means that students looking for affordable housing could still be out of luck.
The stakes are especially high for students who are also parents. Imagine working full time, going to school, and trying to take care of your kids—all while worrying that your rent is about to skyrocket. “I barely have time for anything,” says Maria, a CSUSB student who works as a cashier while raising her 5-year-old daughter. “Between school, work, and taking care of my daughter, I’m exhausted. If my rent goes up, I don’t know how I’ll manage.”
Proposition 33 aims to provide some relief, but it’s not a silver bullet. Students still need more affordable housing options, and they need them now. The Inland Empire has seen a surge in population over the past decade, but new housing construction hasn’t kept pace. As a result, rent prices have surged, and students are often the ones left scrambling to find a place they can afford.
For commuter students, this issue is even more pressing. Many drive long distances to attend classes, juggling school with full-time jobs just to cover basic living expenses. “Everything adds up—rent, gas, car repairs, school costs,” says John, a junior who commutes from Riverside. “I’m working full time, but it still doesn’t feel like enough.”
As Homecoming Week approaches, the conversation around housing and affordability will likely take center stage for many students. Proposition 33 offers hope, but it also raises questions about whether rent control alone can solve the deeper issues at play. Can capping rent increases really make a difference when affordable housing is already so scarce? And what happens to students who are already living paycheck to paycheck?
The fight for rent control is about more than just numbers on a lease agreement. It’s about ensuring that students have a fair shot at building a future without being crushed by rising housing costs. It’s about creating a system where people like Brian, Maria, and John don’t have to choose between paying rent and finishing their education.
Whether Proposition 33 passes or not, one thing is clear: CSUSB students are watching closely, and they’re hoping for change.
