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Housing debates in Sacramento: 7 stories on rising rents and tenant rights

Stories by Sacramento Bee journalists, with AI summarization

The housing debates in Sacramento largely center on rising rents, tenant rights, and the call to regulate rent-setting software. With rent hikes reaching 7.7%, articles explore various perspectives on the challenges renters face, legal actions against landlords, and the role of technology in rent determinations.

One story describes how tenants at the Palms Apartments live with broken heaters, mold, and fear of rats, seeking legal support to improve their living conditions. Sacramento landlords face restrictions on annual rent hikes, now capped at 7.7%, aligning with state control efforts to ease the financial burden on tenants. Additionally, rent-setting software, such as that by RealPage, raises concerns for potentially colluding with landlords to push rent prices higher. A legislative caucus in California works to increase its influence in advocating for renter-friendly policies amidst strong opposition from landlord groups.

Jacqueline Saffo, 71, stands in the doorway at The Palms apartments in Arden Arcade on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, where she’s lived for six years. A year ago, a fire destroyed one of two buildings in the complex and she lost everything, narrowly escaping with her family and dogs. By Renée C. Byer

NO. 1: WITH BROKEN HEATERS, MOLD AND FEAR OF RATS, THESE SACRAMENTO COUNTY RENTERS WANT LAWS TO HELP

Homelessness rates keep rising in California. Residents at the Palms Apartments in Sacramento County say their situation is a textbook example of why. | Published January 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cathie Anderson

By Thomas Winz

NO. 2: CALIFORNIA’S RENTERS’ CAUCUS IS GROWING IN SIZE AND INFLUENCE

The caucus has grown from three to 10 members in just a few years. | Published April 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nicole Nixon

Several of the complex’s vacant units have been overtaken by squatters. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 3: WHY I AUTHORED A BILL TO BAN ILLEGAL SQUATTING IN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES | OPINION

“SB 448 is about restoring common sense to our housing laws and defending the rule of law in our neighborhoods,” writes Sen. Umberg. | Published May 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Thomas J. Umberg

NO. 4: IS YOUR RENT BEING SET BY A COMPUTER? WHAT CALIFORNIA TENANTS SHOULD KNOW

At least three California cities are pushing back against rent-pricing software amid concerns over rising costs. | Published June 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado

NO. 5: SACRAMENTO LANDLORDS TO PAY STATE SETTLEMENT FOR ALLEGED SECTION 8 DISCRIMINATION

The California Civil Rights Department announced the settlement Wednesday. | Published July 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Theresa Clift

Sacramento landlords will get a stricter cap for annual rent increases starting July 2025. By Steve Bloom

NO. 6: SACRAMENTO LANDLORDS GET NEW LIMIT FOR ANNUAL RENT HIKES. WHAT’S THE PERCENTAGE?

The new rent increase cap is the lowest since 2020. | Published July 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Theresa Clift

NO. 7: BILLS TO HELP CA RENTERS DIDN’T GET TO NEWSOM’S DESK IN 2025. WHICH ONES AND WHY?

When Ilene Tony and her family were evicted from their Sacramento apartment in 2015, they were given three days to either pay rent or get out. | Published September 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Theresa Clift

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.