The results are (mostly) in: housing on the 2024 November ballot

By: Hannah Gable, Director of Strategy and Operations

Housing Policy in the 2024 Election: A State and Local Perspective

There’s been a lot of attention on the federal election, but as the old adage “all politics is local” goes, big decisions in housing are often made at a state and local level. From Hoboken, New Jersey to Berkeley, California, a myriad of housing-related measures showed up on state and local ballots on Tuesday across the country. These propositions largely fit into three categories: bond measures, sales tax changes, and rent control policies. 

Bond Measures for Affordable Housing: A Mixed Success

How did they fare? It’s a mix. Voters largely supported bond measures to fund affordable housing development and acquisition, specifically Question 3 in Rhode Island, the Housing Bond Measure in Charlotte, and Question A in Baltimore. However, in California, voters rejected Proposition 5 which would have lowered the threshold required to pass affordable housing or public infrastructure projects from a two-thirds supermajority to 55%. This would have made it easier for cities to pass local bond measures for affordable housing. Despite the general support for housing-related bond measures, California voters made it clear they’d still like to see widespread agreement from the electorate before moving forward.    

Sales Tax Adjustments for Affordable Housing and Homelessness

Both Denver and Los Angeles proposed an increase to the city sales tax to support affordable housing and homelessness. Ballot Issue 2R in Denver would raise the city’s sales tax by 5 cents for every $10 spent, and be used to expand the city’s affordable housing stock. As of Wednesday night, 52% of Denver residents voted no, and the race hasn’t been called yet. Measure A in LA did pass, and will approve a sales tax increase to pay for housing and homeless services.

Rent Control: Controversy and Polarization

Some of the most controversial (and with the most financial backing) housing propositions this election cycle were related to rent control. Hoboken residents voted to preserve existing rent control regulations and prevent landlords from increasing rents when units turnover. While pro-tenant groups won out over landlord groups in New Jersey, California’s Proposition 33 saw a different outcome – voters sided with the California Apartment Association and Association of Realtors to reject putting rent control in the hands of cities and counties.  

Housing Affordability at the Forefront of Voter Concerns

While the results from November 2024 housing-related measures are mixed, there is a clear story emerging: housing affordability issues are top-of-mind for all kinds of voters across the US. Regardless of party affiliation, rural or urban, we expect to see more measures put on the ballot at the state and local levels moving forward.