Housing Crisis Takes Center Stage in Santa Barbara District 5 Race

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The housing crisis and the future of rent stabilization are taking center stage in the race for Santa Barbara City Council District 5.

At a recent candidate forum, all three candidates — Cevin Cathell, James Zurlinden and Ian Baucke — pointed to the city's policies and decisions as part of the broader housing shortage, while offering different ideas for increasing the supply of housing.

Zurlinden said the city's responsibility dates back decades.

“The late 90s into early 2000. I believe, was when it really started going. That's when property values started increasing. And the city has a responsibility to this.”

Baucke was more direct, saying the city has not allowed enough housing to be built to keep pace with population growth.

“This city is largely responsible for the lack of increased inventory to keep up with just natural population growth.”

Cathell also said Santa Barbara needs more housing, pointing to what he described as a healthy vacancy rate of 8%.

“A healthy vacancy rate is 8%. We have a long way to go until we get there and we need more housing.”

Rent stabilization and property rights

The candidates also addressed Santa Barbara's rent stabilization ordinance and how regulations could affect property owners and the availability of rental housing.

Cathell said he is concerned restrictions could lead some housing providers to leave the rental market.

“I foresee that people will get out of the business because this will be so restrictive and people will be worried about making their ends meet. The housing providers that we will end up with less housing.”

Zurlinden focused on property owners' ability to use their homes, including when they temporarily leave Santa Barbara.

“If you're going away for a month to go visit your family because they've been pushed out of Santa Barbara, because it's been too expensive, you should have that right. That's your property, right?”

Baucke said he believes the city should prioritize increasing housing supply and protecting property rights.

“We need to make sure that the city doesn't step on your property rights for that. We need to move on to supply, supply, supply, supply.”

He pointed to zoning reform and accessory dwelling units as potential ways to increase housing.

“So I look forward to liberating property rights across the city with zoning reform, with ADUs for sale.”

The three candidates agree that Santa Barbara needs additional housing, but differ over the role city regulation should play and how the city should balance renter protections with property-owner rights.

Cathell, Zurlinden and Baucke are competing for the District 5 seat on the Santa Barbara City Council.