All around the Bay Area, voters are weighing in on the critical issues of housing and homelessness, which have become twin perpetual problems in the region.
In Alameda County, Measure W, a half-cent sales tax to pay for services and housing for people experiencing homelessness, is up by over 7,500 votes as of Wednesday afternoon, with a simple majority needed to pass. If successful, the measure is expected to raise about $150 million annually over the 10 years it’s in effect.
In Sonoma County, a sales tax increase to raise spending on mental health and homeless services was leading Wednesday with 69% of voters approving. Measure O needs a two-thirds majority to pass. The tax would raise an estimated $25 million annually for the next 10 years to fund emergency crisis care, substance abuse programs and supportive housing.
A real estate transfer tax in San Francisco has a substantial lead, up by almost 52,000 votes for a 58% advantage with a majority needed to pass. Proposition I would double the transfer tax on buildings that sell for more than $10 million.
Supervisor Dean Preston, who introduced the measure, says rent relief would be a priority for new funds generated by the tax, as well as new affordable housing.
Proposition K, which authorizes up to 10,000 units of municipal housing, has a huge lead, with 74% of the vote.
In the city of Alameda, Measure Z, a proposal to lift restrictions on multifamily housing, is losing 59% to 41%, trailing by about 3,700 votes. Measure Z would repeal a 1973 charter amendment in the city that limits residential development, with some exceptions, to one housing unit per 2,000 square-foot lot.
In the city of San Mateo, voters are weighing in on dueling measures to regulate density and building heights.
Measure R, which would allow more development near the city’s train stations, is currently losing by over 2,200 votes. Meanwhile, Measure Y, which would require the city council to get voter approval before increasing heights and densities, is losing by over 350 votes. Both require more than 50 percent to pass, and if both measures are successful, the one with more votes will become law.
— Erin Baldassari (@e_baldi) and Molly Solomon (@solomonout)
