Affordable Housing Measures in Oakland & Berkeley
On November 6th there are a number of exciting statewide propositions and local measures for the expansion of affordable housing, taxes on vacant properties, and increasing rent control. And while, the East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative is aimed at preventing the displacement of local communities in the face of the affordability crisis by building an equitable housing model rooted in local communities that allows us to take politics into our own hands, the passage of the below measures would mean a better and more friendly environment for the kind of model we are pursuing, not to mention some potential channels of financing for the kind of work we do! So get out the vote and don’t let wealthy developers and global real estate investment companies decide the fate of the cities we call home here in the East Bay. Lets lift up our low income and homeless local resident so they can live in conditions of dignity that all human beings deserve.
CA Statewide
Prop 1 Bonds for Affordable Housing
Authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds for existing affordable housing programs for low-income residents, veterans, farmworkers, manufactured and mobile homes, infill, and transit-oriented housing. Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging about $170 million annually over the next 35 years.
https://www.vetsandaffordablehousingact.org/
Prop 2 More Money to House Mentally Ill Homeless
Amends Mental Health Services Act to fund No Place Like Home Program, which finances housing for individuals with mental illness. Ratifies existing law establishing the No Place Like Home Program. Fiscal Impact: Allows the state to use up to $140 million per year of county mental health funds to repay up to $2 billion in bonds. These bonds would fund housing for those with mental illness who are homeless.
Prop 10 Increasing Rent Control & Repealing Costa Hawkins
Repeals state law that currently restricts the scope of rent control policies that cities and other local jurisdictions may impose on residential property. Fiscal Impact: Potential net reduction in state and local revenues of tens of millions of dollars per year in the long term. Depending on actions by local communities, revenue losses could be less or considerably more.
http://www.tenantstogether.org/campaigns/repeal-costa-hawkins-rental-housing-act
Oakland
Measure W: Vacant Property Tax
Would impose a $3,000 to $6,000 parcel tax on vacant properties. The goal, according to supporters, is to incentivize owners to put land and housing into use. City staffers estimate that the tax could raise as much as $10 million a year. This money would be spent on homeless services and illegal dumping cleanup. There are exemptions to the tax for low-income seniors. Opponents, mostly landlords, have called Measure W "a scam to increase revenue to the city to pay pensions and a growing bureaucracy." The union SEIU 1021 and the Homeless Advocacy Working Group also support Measure W and note that it includes an independent community oversight committee to make sure the money properly used.
https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/a-guide-to-oaklands-ballot-measures/Content?oid=21443050
Measure X: Real Estate Tax on Commercial Buildings and Most Expensive Oakland Homes
A change to Oakland's existing real estate transfer tax, which is currently a single rate for all transactions. If approved, Measure X would establish a graduated-rate structure. The vast majority of homes sold in Oakland won't be affected because, under Measure X, the transfer tax rate will remain the same as it is now — 1.5 percent. But for land and buildings that sell for between $2 million and $5 million, the new rate will higher, 1.75 percent. And for very expensive properties sold above $5 million, the transfer tax will jump to 2.5 percent.
https://www.spur.org/voter-guide/oakland-2018-11/measure-x-tiered-transfer-tax
Measure Y: Just Cause Renter’s Protections
Would extend just cause protection to renters in two- and three-unit owner-occupied buildings. Property owners' groups strongly oppose the measure, saying it removes the flexibility that small landlords need. But tenants counter that owners can still evict tenants who don't pay rent, violate their lease, or for any of the other nine permitted reasons under the Just Cause Ordinance. If approved, Measure Y will extend eviction protections to renters in thousands more units of housing and stem displacement by limiting small landlords' powers.
https://protectoaklandrenters.org/
Berkeley
Measure O: Affordable Housing Bonds
$135 million in general obligation bonds to create and preserve affordable housing for low-income households, working families, and individuals including teachers, seniors, veterans, the homeless, and persons with disabilities; subject to citizen oversight and independent audits, be adopted? Financial Implications: Annual cost over projected 36-year period bonds are outstanding is approximately $23 for every $100,000 or $97 for the average assessed home value of $425,000; raising approximately $7,500,000/year.
Measure P: Increasing Homeless Services (including housing) by Taxing the Wealthy
Would add a new tax on property transfers worth more than $1.5 million, raising the rate from 1.5 to 2.5 percent. It would affect about a third of Berkeley's annual property transfers, but won't affect homeowners unless they decided to sell their property. The tax would last for 10 years and is expected to bring in $6 to $8 million per year, which would be exclusively devoted to homeless services.
https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/a-guide-to-berkeleys-ballot-measures/Content?oid=21443053
Bonus
(from Greg)
People from the community have also compiled a big list of who is endorsing who, with suggestions of where to vote, that you may really benefit from. We hope this, or this, may help you wrangle that big 5 page election packet. And here is a little more information for Judicial offices
