Rent and affordable housing are a big deal in Sacramento.
The city is growing and so are rent prices. If you're new to the region or if you just want to learn more about what's going on in the Sacramento housing market, there are some things you should know.
1. We don't like to be the bearer of bad news but no, high rent prices aren't dropping anytime soon. Sacramento has a housing supply shortage and demand is high. This combination makes for increasing rent prices.
2. Renters are now the majority in Sacramento and Stockton. The renter trend is increasing in the majority of the country's largest cities.
3. Despite high rent prices and a growing homeless population, Sacramento actually sees a low eviction rate. The city has one of the lowest eviction rates in the nation's top 50 metro areas.
4. Contrary to popular belief, Bay Area migration isn't the reason why rents are so high. In fact, there aren't as many Bay Area transplants moving into Sacramento as you may think.
5. Your new neighbors are probably from the region. Don't be shocked if your new neighbor simply moved from Davis to Sacramento in search of a cheaper home, or Sacramento to Roseville looking to leave urban life for the suburbs.
6. Rent control can have a devastating blow to the already tense Sacramento housing market.
7. Help is on the way! Last September, Gov. Jerry Brown signed "California's 2017 Housing Package" to combat the housing affordability issue. The bundle of bills went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018, and the California Department of Housing and Community Development [HCD] has been working on informing residents on what to expect from the new laws.