San Bernardino and Santa Barbara councils approve key municipal measures

In San Bernardino, Mayor Helen Tran used her veto and tie-breaking authority to approve a three-year lease for the Akoma Unity Center. The decision followed a contentious City Council debate regarding the nonprofit’s lease for the Anne Shirrells Community Center. The council initially voted 3-2 to table the item following unconfirmed complaints raised by Councilmember Sandra Ibarra, but the Mayor’s veto nullified that action, allowing a subsequent 3-3 vote to proceed. The approved agreement allows Akoma to operate through June 30, 2029, with rent set at $2,000 per month for the first year and 10% annual increases.

In Santa Barbara, the City Council approved a rent stabilization ordinance, which is scheduled to launch on January 1, 2027. The approval came after intense deliberations and split votes regarding affordable housing exemptions. To support the implementation of the program, the council approved $500,000 from the city’s Measure I Flexible Housing and Homelessness Fund. The ordinance follows a lengthy development process involving public hearings and community outreach that began in late 2025.