Measure K claims to make housing more affordable, but even City Hall has deemed it’s “not an affordable housing policy.” Not only will the extreme control and costly regulations it proposes negatively impact housing affordability, it will have devastating effects on the Larkspur community.
First, Measure K could make housing less affordable. California’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (“LAO”) states that rent control “does very little to address the underlying cause of California’s high housing costs: a housing shortage.” The fact is, rent control does not lower rents, create a single new unit of affordable housing, or address homelessness. Even City Hall notes policies like Measure K could reduce existing housing units by reducing turnover, and that rental units are likely to be removed from the market should Measure K pass. Net result: diminished housing supply and skyrocketing prices.
Second, Larkspur already has rent control. This policy was the culmination of community input, transparent policymaking, and a vote of the people. Measure K would upend all of that.
Third, Measure K could cost the City of Larkspur up to $500,000 per year or more to administer, according to City Hall. In addition, City Hall anticipates that property owners will submit property tax appeals in response, further reducing funds for fire, police, public infrastructure, and schools.
Fourth, the LAO has noted policies like Measure K may cause a decline in the quality of housing, thereby reducing property values. Given its extreme provisions, housing providers will have scarce resources to maintain buildings and it could deter interest in building new housing, given the significant investment required to build.
Finally, Measure K undercuts environmental goals, like its restriction on a landlord’s ability to pass through actual utility costs to tenants. That means some tenants could use as much water as they want, with no consequences.
The facts are clear: Measure K is not good for Larkspur.
Vote No on Measure K.
www.NoOnK.vote (opens a new window)
MICHAEL BRISTOW
President, Larkspur Chamber of Commerce
SCOT CANDELL
Mayor, City of Larkspur
STEPHANIE ANDRE
Council Member, City of Larkspur
GLORIA AQUILINO
Larkspur Property Owner
JEROME BERNAL
Larkspur Property Owner