Yes on Measure D in the News
KQED (Feb 27, 2024): Larkspur Voters To Decide Future of Rent Control In Their City
www.kqed.org/news/11977071/larkspur-voters-to-decide-future-of-rent-control-in-their-city
NBC Bay Area: Marin County Measure D explained
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/decision-2024-marin-county-measure-d-explained/3464138
MarinIJ (Feb 12, 2024): Larkspur Rent Control Opposition Leads Donations List
www.marinij.com/2024/02/12/marin-elections-larkspur-rent-control-opposition-leads-donation-list
Marin IJ Editorial (Feb 8, 2024): Cautious Rent Control Plan Makes Sense for Larkspur
https://www.marinij.com/2024/02/08/editorial-cautious-rent-control-plan-makes-sense-for-larkspur
Paid for by Yes On Measure D FPPC # pending
Why Measure D is Right for Larkspur
1. Measure D is endorsed by Marin IJ, Marin Democrats, Marin Young Democrats. These organizations understand the critical need to preserve affordable housing and reduce displacement for the next 5 years.
2. The opposition is using paid canvassers with reported misinformation (see Marin IJ Feb 12, 2024 and KQED Feb 29, 2024)
3 . Measure D is about preserving affordable housing, particularly for fixed income seniors for a 5-year period (sunsets with state rent control law AB 1492 in 2029). It is estimated to save up to $1000/year for 200-400 Larkspur renters most in need of affordable housing.
4. Measure D is designed to keep landlords in business. It protects profits by streamlined appeals. It exempts most "mom and pop" units including ADUs, singles, duplexes.
5. There is no evidence that implementing Measure D will be expensive or cost taxpayers. Estimated cost $100-$200/year per unit usually paid by landlords.
6. Measure D is not "strict" rent control like Berkeley, San Francisco or what is proposed for Fairfax. It is based on widely accepted CA law AB 1482 modified to reduce displacement from high inflation similar to what was experienced after covid-19.
7. Measure D defers 3% of the annual escalation (7% max vs state 10% max) to 2029 when more housing has been built.
8. Measure D does not promote or restrict construction of affordable housing or meeting RHNA numbers. It reduces displacement and possible homelessness while construction is taking place.
Paid for by Yes On Measure D FPPC # pending
What "No on Measure D" says vs. the real facts
Here are answers to the argument from the "No on Measure D" website: https://www.noonmeasured.com/faqs
A) I’m a renter. How do I know if rent control helps me?
WHAT THEY SAY: Much of the city’s housing stock won’t be covered by Measure D. Rent control generally applies to those living in apartment units built before February 1, 1995. Renters in single-family homes, condominiums and any apartments built after 1995 will generally not be covered by Measure D. Even if your rental unit meets this criteria, Measure D would still allow your rent to increase by up to 7% annually.
THE REAL FACTS: In Larkspur, the city manager estimates that would leave 1,825 rental units subject to the city’s proposed cap. Many Larkspur resident scan barely afford current rents.
B) Will Measure D help alleviate homelessness?
WHAT THEY SAY: No. Measure D does nothing to address homelessness and doesn’t call for a single new housing unit to be built. In fact, Measure D could make homelessness worse. People that already live in a rent-controlled unit are less likely to want to move, so there will be fewer opportunities for homeless and low-income residents to find the housing they need.
THE REAL FACTS: Displacement brings homelessness risk. Without Measure D rents will increase faster and displace renters which in fact creates 'fewer opportunities for homeless and low-income residents." Moreover, it is misleading to imply control policies should be designed to increase housing. This is accomplished by the housing element of the general plan.
C) What is the cost to implement Measure D?
WHAT THEY SAY: Measure D is expected to cost the City of Larkspur hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to implement and enforce – likely to exceed millions of dollars over the next decade. A rental registry (redundant with another existing city policy) would cost $100,000 to $150,000 to implement, followed by $85,000 to $100,000 each year thereafter. Enforcement of Measure D would cost $180,000 per year plus unknown additional staff time. The City concedes the “recoverable amount” of this provision is uncertain, potentially putting taxpayers on the hook for this six-figure annual expense. Another rent dispute resolution fee would cost up to $100,000 to implement. Even after these costs are tallied, this six-figure annual price tag fails to consider costs associated with legal proceedings that may stem from the measure and other legal or public safety matters, so the cost to taxpayers may be much higher. To make matters worse, these figures are all considered “rough estimates” – the city didn’t do their due diligence on this measure, and failed to conduct a full fiscal analysis on Measure D to understand its true costs.
THE REAL FACTS: Measure D will cost up to $400,000 in its first year and roughly $200,000 per year thereafter as estimated by the City Manager. Landlords would pay an estimated $100 to $200 annual fee per unit to cover the bulk of those costs. From studies of Los Gatos, Fremont, Berkeley, Oxnard, Bell Gardens, Santa Monica, the costs might be lower.
D) If Measure D isn’t the answer, what do policy experts suggest to address high housing costs and our housing crisis more broadly?
WHAT THEY SAY: In a 2016 report “Perspectives on Helping Low-Income Californians Afford Housing” published by the State Legislative Analyst’s Office, or “LAO” (an independent, nonpartisan fiscal watchdog), the LAO suggests that policies like Measure D are not a sound policy solution to our housing crisis: “…We offer additional evidence that facilitating more private housing development in the state’s coastal urban communities would help make housing more affordable for low-income Californians. Existing affordable housing programs assist only a small proportion of low-income Californians. Most low-income Californians receive little or no assistance. Expanding affordable housing programs to help these households likely would be extremely challenging and prohibitively expensive.” (read the full report “Perspectives on Helping Low-Income Californians Afford Housing” by clicking here).
THE REAL FACTS: There is no other answer to preserving affordable housing for 5 years to slow down displacements. The long term answer is building affordable housing which will take a minimum of 3-5 years, the time when Measure D sunsets.
Paid for by Yes On Measure D FPPC # pending