Billionaire Stephen Schwarzman, a fierce opponent of rent control, raked in an astounding $610.5 million from dividends and compensation last year, according to Reuters. Blackstone Group, the private equity firm co-founded and led by Schwarzman, …
Never Forget the Corporate Landlords Who Want All Your Money
As we head deeper into 2021, renters in California and across the nation should never forget the small but powerful group of corporate landlords who shelled out a staggering $66.5 million to kill the expansion …
UPDATE: Big Real Estate Shelled Out Nearly $100 Million to Stop Prop 21
Perhaps in an effort to fly under the radar, corporate landlords such as Essex Property Trust, Equity Residential, and AvalonBay Communities have recently shelled out even more millions in campaign contributions to No on Prop …
Housing Is A Human Right’s Advocacy Highlights of 2020
In 2020, Housing Is A Human Right fought tenaciously on the behalf of Californians, carrying out our mission of the “3 Ps”: protect tenants, preserve communities, and produce housing. In 2021, we’ll continue to fight …
Tangled Web: Gavin Newsom, Ace Smith, California Apartment Association, and the Billionaires Who Love Them
Billionaires Stephen Schwarzman and Sam Zell must love Gov. Gavin Newsom, political consultant Ace Smith, and the California Apartment Association right now. After all, Newsom, Smith, and the CAA were key players in killing two …
Did Lobbyist Jason Kinney Convince Gov. Gavin Newsom to Oppose Rent Control?
A Housing Is A Human Right investigation reveals the behind-the-scenes connections between Gov. Gavin Newsom, the No on Proposition 21 campaign, and his close friend and advisor Jason Kinney. Going against the California Democratic Party …
Big Real Estate Shells Out Staggering $86.2 Million to Kill California’s Prop 21
In its successful push to stop California’s Proposition 21, Big Real Estate shelled out a shocking $86.2 million to fund a statewide TV ad blitz that confused and tricked voters. The driving force behind the …
After Prop 21, A Statewide Coalition for Stronger Renter Protections Moves Forward
While Proposition 21 was defeated on Election Day, more than 340 housing justice groups, social justice organizations, labor unions, and political leaders enthusiastically endorsed the ballot measure. With the housing affordability and homelessness crises still …
What About the Vulnerable Still Suffering After Prop 21’s Defeat?
The survival of American democracy displaced the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and California’s wildfires as the center of addictive attention in the weeks just before and after the 2020 Election. Fights over local races and ballot initiatives were …
Essex Property Trust Spearheads Wall Street’s Opposition to Prop 21
As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on and California’s housing affordability crisis worsens, Essex Property Trust — a publicly traded real estate investment trust — is spearheading Wall Street’s multi-million-dollar campaign to kill Proposition 21. Prop …