Housing affordability crisis & policy battles
Key Questions
What is driving the increase in San Francisco rents?
The AI gold rush is pushing SF rents to $5,500 for a 2BR apartment with spillover effects to suburbs, while home prices rose 8.1% quarterly.
Why did Mayor Lurie and Supervisor Mahmood pause the BUILD Act tax cut?
They paused the plan to halve the city’s transfer tax on real estate sales amid the ongoing budget crisis.
What is planned for the Concord Navy base redevelopment?
The project will deliver 12,272 homes, 25% of which will be affordable.
What does the SPUR report highlight about San Francisco permitting?
It points to systemic permitting dysfunction that slows housing development and business openings.
What is the California Attorney General doing about affordability?
The AG launched an Affordability Response Team to investigate and target unlawful price hikes.
How does Adrian Covert link homelessness to housing costs?
He directly ties rising homelessness to high housing costs and stresses the need to build more housing.
What housing measures are on the November ballot?
Voters will see competing visions from State Senator Wiener and Supervisor Chan on housing policy.
What does the Stanford study add to rent control discussions?
The study provides additional policy nuance on how rent control affects housing supply and tenant outcomes.
AI gold rush drives SF rents to $5,500 for 2BR, spillover to suburbs. SF home prices up 8.1% quarterly. Mayor Lurie and Supervisor Mahmood pause BUILD Act tax cut amid budget crisis. Concord Navy base redevelopment (12,272 homes, 25% affordable). Mountain View approves $9.5M parking garage. SPUR report highlights permitting dysfunction. CA AG launches Affordability Response Team. Stanford rent control study adds policy nuance. November ballot features Wiener vs Chan housing visions. Adrian Covert (Bay Area Council) data-driven talk ties homelessness directly to housing costs. SF homeless encampments drop for 4th quarter to record lows under Lurie; RESET Center 29% treatment referral rate; 22% drop in unsheltered homelessness since 2024.