This Nov. 3, voters in Salinas will decide if they keep or eliminate four housing-related ordinances, including an annual cap of 2.75 percent on rent increases for multi-family residences built before Feb. 1, 1995, and a rental registry.
As the election approaches, money and manpower are pouring into the Measure H race in a David-vs.-Goliath battle. Protect Salinas Residents, the Yes on H group seeking to overturn the ordinances, has raised $729,228 since 2025. Protect Salinas Renters, the No on H group that wants to keep the ordinances in place, has been outfundraised more than 9-to-1, reporting $79,933 raised since 2025.
Most of the Yes on H money comes from investment trust funds and large apartment operators. The largest donor is UDR Inc., which has contributed at least $273,975. UDR is a publicly traded real estate investment trust based in Colorado that owns, develops and manages apartments nationwide. According to its real estate portfolio, UDR owns seven communities in the Monterey Peninsula area with a total of 1,567 apartments at a carrying value of nearly $209 million.
The Yes group has spent that money on ads on TV, newspapers and social media and distributed flyers across the city. One flyer claims voting to reject the ordinances is pro-affordable housing, provides lower rents and strong protections. Salinas’ ordinances actually provide stronger tenant protections than the state, with lower maximum rent increases of 2.75 percent compared to 10 percent, and three months’ rent instead of one for tenant relocation assistance when they are displaced for no-fault evictions.
Another concern raised by Yes on H is privacy. Landlords are asked to provide personal information in the rental registry portal, including lease agreements and monthly rent. According to the ordinance, “the residential rental registry information shall be received in confidence.”
The Weekly has filed a request for public records to view information publicly reported from the portal.