Margaret R. Seaton 
Rents for apartments in Elk Grove have risen 7.8% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, according to a study conducted by Apartment List and published this month.
The study is part of the Apartment List National Rental Index, which shows that while the cost of monthly rentals is falling rapidly in urban centers like San Francisco, Seattle, Boston and New York, rentals in smaller markets and suburbs like Elk Grove have been on the rise.
Although the overall rent index is down 1.5% year over year, many markets are experiencing greater volatility, the report notes.
The report identifies Elk Grove’s median rents for one-bedroom apartments at $ 1,140 and the median for two-bedroom apartments at $ 1,607. It is also mentioned in the report that the typical apartment vacancy rate in Elk Grove is 1.9%.
Data from the American Community Survey shows that Elk Grove was home to 42,194 residents living in rental units in 2019, and the city had 14,000 occupied rental units.
Sarah Bontrager, the city’s housing and utilities manager, noted that there was no additional data available beyond this 2019 data.
“(The data for) 2019 is the latest data available, and there is no indication that things have changed dramatically in 2020,” she told The Citizen.
Several renters of apartments in Elk Grove recently shared their take on the current situation and the potential increases in rental costs.
Zach Sabac told The Citizen he was concerned about local rents which rose during the pandemic.
“I just don’t think it’s expected to increase during this pandemic,” he said. “It makes it harder for people to live in (apartments), especially with the (COVID-19) situation. It’s hard enough, especially when people are losing their jobs, for small businesses to close. It makes things even more difficult. “
Sabal, who currently pays $ 1,750 for a two-bedroom apartment in Elk Grove, added that he hopes apartment management becomes a bit more lenient on rent costs.
Jordan Smith called the local rent increases “unfair”.
“I actually had to move this year and couldn’t do it,” she said. “So we’re kind of stuck here for a little while. I have a feeling people here are going to be leaving California because of the (rent increases). There is nothing we can do about it as tenants.
Joyce Deguzman said her rent went up by $ 100 a month last year, and another rent increase may be on the way.
“Our rent is up, probably in April of this year, so we don’t know if we’re going to get a raise or not, but I think so,” she said. “So I hope this year there will be no increase, because of the pandemic again.
“We love it here, but if (the increase) is too big, we might have to move somewhere else. We have a monthly rent budget. You can’t just say yes to everything. We don’t really want to move outside of Elk Grove, but I’ve seen (nearby) apartments (and their rent) is still pretty high.
Chris Arredondo told The Citizen that he is currently not worried about the increase in rental costs in Elk Grove.
“I don’t think it’s that expensive yet,” he said. “(Her rent) has gone up a bit, but not too much. I am fine now. If it gets too expensive, I might as well buy a house and pay that much.
Shagun Sharba said she was worried about her rent going up.
“It’s hard to live in a place (in Elk Grove), when you can’t afford to pay so much money,” she said. “I’m very worried (about a possible rent increase).
Sharba added that she recognized the low apartment vacancy rate in Elk Grove.
“It’s very low,” she said. “When I was looking for an apartment (last October) I remember in this building (at Lake Point) Apartments they only had one or two available, and Stonelake (Apartment Homes) had one. And nothing else was available at that time when I was looking for a two bedroom apartment.
Carrie Maybi, a teacher in the area, mentioned that she worried about how she might survive future rent increases. She currently pays $ 1,575 per month for a two-bedroom apartment.
“It makes it almost impossible to live independently on just one income,” she said. “There are so many ways to look at it, saying if we’re going to provide affordable housing for low income people, then why don’t we adapt?
“If I don’t own a house, if I am a renter, shouldn’t that also decrease the income I earn. I mean, within reason, without having to go through government programs. Honestly, if you mean fair and equal housing.
