The Daily Dirt: A multi-front fight against housing ballot measures

"The mailer, paid for by the City Council, states that three of the questions that will appear on the November ballot will take away communities' power to demand the city and developers invest in neighborhoods when allowed to build. City Council leadership has painted most of the housing ballot questions as a power grab by the administration, arguing that the measures threaten to deprive City Council members the leverage they need during zoning negotiations to guarantee deeper affordability, as well as investments in their communities."

"Create two different fast track options for affordable housing projects. Housing Development Fund Companies building publicly-funded, 100 percent affordable housing could receive approvals for zoning changes through the city's Board of Standards and Appeals rather than going through the full Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. The other track would apply to affordable housing projects proposed in the 12 community districts that have approved the least amount of affordable housing. Starting in October 2026, the city would release a report identifying what districts have permitted the least amount of affordable"

Three November ballot questions would alter the city's land-use review process by creating fast-track approvals for certain affordable housing projects. City Council messaging warns that the measures would limit communities' ability to demand investments and would reduce Council leverage during zoning negotiations to secure deeper affordability and neighborhood investments. The Council has not disclosed opposition spending, though its postage and printing budget increased by roughly $2.3 million earlier in the year. A pro-measure coalition, Yes on Affordable Housing, has committed $3 million. Proposed changes include BSA approvals for publicly funded 100% affordable projects and a condensed ULURP for projects in the 12 districts with the least permitted affordable housing, with a five-year district report beginning October 2026.

Read at therealdeal.com