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For many Californians, the biggest obstacle to buying a home is not the monthly payment. It is the down payment. Saving that amount, especially in higher-cost areas like Santa Barbara, can feel out of reach even for households with solid incomes and stable jobs. That challenge is even greater for first-generation buyers who do not have family resources to fall back on.

On January 13, 2026, Santa Barbara City Council adopted a Rent Freeze ordinance and amended the Just Cause ordinance following hours of public testimony and Council deliberation. Both measures were presented as interim actions while the City works toward a permanent rent stabilization program.

Ranking Report By Members Listing or Selling Members Status: Sold Search Parameters: Property types Res, Res Inc, Land, Comm/Ofc; Status of 'Closed'; District of '05 - CARPINTERIA-SUMMERLAND', '10 - MONTECITO', '15 - SB/EAST OF STATE', '20 - SB/WEST OF STATE', '25 - HOPE RANCH', '30 - SB/GOL SOUTH', '35 - SB/GOL NORTH'; Primary Listing of 'Yes'.

In today’s housing debate, the term “housing advocate” is often used as shorthand for tenant organizations. Tenant voices are important and deserve to be heard, but equating housing advocacy with a single viewpoint misunderstands how housing actually works. A housing advocate is anyone who works to improve housing outcomes. That includes renters seeking stability, but it also includes homeowners, housing providers, builders, lenders, planners, and those helping families purchase their first home. Housing is not a single-interest issue. It is a system.

Our statistics and market review are kindly compiled by other parties, and will be uploaded at the end of the following month. Please note the Market Review is now a quarterly update.