Around 70 people gathered at a watch party in Hollywood on Nov. 5 to show support for Proposition 33, a proposal to expand rent control.

Proposition 33, which was rejected by approximately 60% of voters according to the Los Angeles Times, would have repealed the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, enabling local governments to expand limits on rental rates for housing. Attendees also gathered in hopes of rejecting Proposition 34, an initiative introduced by the California Apartment Association, which would require California’s Medicaid program to pay pharmacies directly for prescription drugs. The proposition has been accused of targeting the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, who hosted the event, for sponsoring Proposition 33, according to the Associated Press.

[Related: Experts discuss details, implications of 2 health care propositions on the ballot]

Susie Shannon, the policy director at AHF, said her organization sponsored Proposition 33 because of unaffordable rent costs and rising homelessness. Since Costa-Hawkins passed, homelessness and rent have both skyrocketed, with there now being 186,000 people experiencing homelessness statewide, she added.

Michael Weinstein, president of AHF, said that when he moved to LA in 1972, his $100 monthly rent was less than one-fifth of his monthly salary. Today, most full-time minimum-wage workers devote most of their income to rent, Weinstein added.

“In one of the richest countries in the world and one of the richest cities in this country, to have 77,000 people living on the streets is appalling to me,” he said.

However, Weinstein, who introduced the ballot measure, said that polling in support of Proposition 33 steeply declined after Gov. Gavin Newsom came out in opposition to it.

Sean Jones, an employee at AHF who attended the party, said that the rent of the loft he used to live in more than doubled since the pandemic, adding that he could not afford his old lifestyle even though his income has increased as well.

Proposition 34, a measure which opposes rent control, also stands in the way of affordable housing, said Xing Liu, an AHF staff member.

“It’s basically a targeted proposition to stop AHF from being able to fund campaigns and work on housing issues in the future,” Liu said.

AHF has previously campaigned on affordable housing issues.

Laura Boudreau, chief of operations, risk management and quality improvement at AHF, said she believes CAA wants to eliminate a strong advocate for tenants’ rights. She added that she knows people who struggle to afford rent in LA – her children included – due to the high cost of living.

In addition to Proposition 33, Weinstein, who identifies as a gay man, added he supports Proposition 3, which would enshrine the right to marry into the state’s constitution. The proposition passed by approximately 62%, according to the Washington Post.

“The country is taking a rightward shift, which is very scary,” said Weinstein. “We have good fortune living in California … but we live in the country, and we’re going to have to figure out where we go from here.”