What's behind Santa Barbara's "Emergency" Rent Freeze ?

Essays by Lydia Perez, Loy Beardsmore and Kevin Boss

Jan 10, 2026

∙ Paid

(The following three thoughtful and perhaps contentious pieces were written in expectation and preparation for Santa Barbara City Council’s upcoming rent freeze vote scheduled for Tuesday, January 13th beginning at 2pm.)

Santa Barbara’s “Emergency” Rent Freeze

By Lydia Perez

Politics First, Housing Second

Santa Barbara is being asked to accept an emergen…

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