As the nation continues to face an affordability crisis, voters weighed in on housing-related measures across the country, with mixed results.
California voters rejected Proposition 33, which sought to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995. While the state already has rent control, with landlords not able to raise rents more than 5% plus the increase in cost of living annually, this ballot measure would have given local jurisdictions even more power to regulate rents. The measure needed 50% of the vote to pass, with 61.4% rejecting as of Nov. 7.
Voters in the Golden State also turned down Proposition 5, which would make it easier for local jurisdictions to issue bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure projects by lowering the percentage of votes the measures would need to pass from 66.67% to 55%. As of Nov. 7, the measure had received 56.2% no votes.
However, seeking to address the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles County, Measure A was expected to pass with over 56% of the vote as of Nov. 6. The measure will replace an existing quarter-cent sales tax that voters approved in 2017 with a half-cent sales tax to support affordable housing and homeless services.
In San Francisco, Measure G, which will provide at least $8.25 million per year to provide rental subsidies for affordable housing developments serving low-income seniors, families, and people with disabilities, has passed.
State Measures
Nearly two-thirds of North Dakota voters rejected Measure 4, which would have repealed property taxes and required the state to make annual payments to local governments to make up for the lost revenue.
In Oregon, voters overwhelmingly said no to Measure 118, which would have created a new business tax of 3% on corporations with state sales exceeding $25 million to provide tax rebates to residents. The National Association of Home Builders cautioned that the measure, if passed, could jeopardize small businesses as well as raise prices and cut jobs.
A bond measure in Rhode Island that would authorize $120 million in bonds to support affordable housing development passed with nearly two-thirds of the vote.
Local Ballots
In Hoboken, New Jersey, voters rejected a rent control referendum. While the city has a rent control law, this ballot initiative sought to allow landlords to increase the rent of a vacant apartment without limitations in exchange for a contribution to the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Measure R in Albany, California, which would have created a new supplemental business license tax on residential rental businesses to help pay for rental assistance, code enforcement, and legal support failed with nearly 55% voting no.
In Baltimore, voters overwhelmingly supported Question A, which would authorize $20 million in bonds with revenue going to affordable housing costs.
Nearly two-thirds of voters in Charlotte, North Carolina, also came out in support of a $100 million bond referendum that would fund affordable housing developments.
In Denver, Issue 2R was poised to be defeated by a slim margin. This measure would have created a 0.5% sales tax increase to fund affordable housing programs and investments.
