Voters across the country will cast a ballot on more than 50 housing-related measures in the upcoming midterm elections. The proposals cover a range of issues, including funding for affordable housing, property tax relief, and increased tenant protections. Most of the measures (40) are at the local level, while about a dozen are at the statewide level.
Property Tax Relief is a Common Theme
Property tax relief is a recurring theme: We found quite a number of measures related to property taxes-specifically, reducing taxes for seniors or other homeowners. Alabama leads the way with 11 local proposals. many localities have policies that provide some form of property tax relief to older adults as an effort to help them age in place.
Voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would increase the state’s homestead tax exemption in 2027 to $150,000 of a property’s assessed value, and $250,000 in 2028. Newer residents would get a smaller exemption. The amendment requires the approval of 60 percent of voters to pass,
Billions for Affordable Housing
Cites and states are asking voters to approve billions in bonds to build affordable housing, provide homeownership and downpayment assistance, and repair existing homes. The biggest ask is in California, where voters will decide on over $36 billion in housing-related bond measures.
Prop 1, or the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond, will allow the state to sell $11.25 billion in bonds to pay for affordable rental housing construction and preservation, as well as homeownership assistance for low- and moderate-income residents. More than $1 billion will be devoted to homeownership assistance for veterans and their families.
If passed, Prop 37 would give the California Housing Finance Agency authority to borrow up to $25 billion to provide loans for downpayment assistance on newly constructed houses and condos. The loans would pay as much as 17 percent of a downpayment, leaving buyers responsible for 3 percent. Buyers earning up to 200 percent of area median income are eligible for assistance.
Charlotte, North Carolina, is proposing its largest single housing investment ever. Voters will decide on a measure to allocate $125 million to housing projects for low- and moderate-income residents.
Tenant Protections on the Ballot
Tenant rights are also a key focus, with about a dozen measures related to rent control, eviction protections, and more. Santa Monica, California, has three tenant protection measures up for a vote. Akron, Ohio, has two.
In St. Paul, Minnesota, voters will decide if tenants have the right to make repairs costing up to $500. If a landlord fails to fix a problem after 14 days, they would be required to reimburse the tenant or allow the cost to be deducted from the rent.
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Astoria, Oregon, is considering a new tax on homes that sit vacant for more than half the year. The revenue would fund the construction of low-income and workforce housing, as well as tenant services and rental subsidies.
Other Housing Measures Across States
Another Louisiana measure would prohibit local governments from using zoning regulations to require minimum lot sizes greater than 5,000 square feet under certain conditions. Proponents argue this will increase housing supply and facilitate the construction of more starter homes, provided lots meet basic access requirements.
Funding and Protections in Other Cities
Baltimore is seeking voter approval to borrow up to $22 million for its affordable housing trust fund. The funds could be used for acquisition, preservation, production of new housing, demolition, rental assistance, and housing counseling. Raleigh, North Carolina, has a $101.5 million housing bond on the ballot to build and repair homes.
Akron, Ohio, has two tenant-related measures on the ballot. One would allow renters to pay security deposits over several months instead of a lump sum and regulate certain fees. The other would prohibit landlords from discriminating against applicants with certain past incarcerations, with exceptions for sex and arson offenders.
In Washington state, Hood River is considering a property tax increase to pay for housing for residents at or below 120 percent of the area median income. Bellingham is proposing a ban on paid algorithmic services used to analyze rental market data for pricing recommendations. Tacoma would require landlords to bargain with tenant unions and impose new fines for non-compliance.
Tucson: Proposition 421 asks voters to choose whether to extend the franchise agreement with their current power company for another 25 years. Prop C would increase investments in the city’s Housing Trust Fund, which currently provides $52 million a year for affordable housing construction.
Redwood City: Measure E would limit annual rent increases to 5 percent and expand just-cause eviction protections for tenants. San Pablo: If passed, Measure S would limit annual rent increases to 3 percent, implement just-cause eviction protections for tenants, and require landlords to pay relocation assistance.
Newport Beach: Measure H would reduce the number of units the city includes in its state-mandated housing element by 65 percent. Measure VV would extend existing city eviction protections to residents of single-unit dwellings and condominiums, as well as require that for owner occupancy evictions from non-rent controlled units, the owner must intend in good faith to occupy the unit within 60 days after the tenant vacates and for at least 2 years thereafter.
Boulder: Ballot Issue 2J will decide whether to impose an annual $4,000 tax on homes occupied for 183 days or fewer per year. The tax would increase with inflation, up to $7,000.
