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West Coast Cities Turn to Vacancy Taxes to Grapple with Housing Crisis

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Re: West Coast Cities Turn to Vacancy Taxes to Grapple with Housing Crisis

#31

Post by Schiendelman »

SR2Z wrote: post #24
Schiendelman wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you're misunderstanding the problem. Everyone wants to build more. Cities won't let them. It's often arbitrary and capricious.

This is not quite true. It's entirely correct to say that cities are the main obstacle to building housing, but it's not true to say that everyone wants to build more. Whether or not a project pencils out depends on local demand and interest rates. An unfortunately common sight in SF is that developers start construction before getting all the required permits to finish, then the city drags its feet for half a decade…

"Everyone" as in "nearly every project is proposed to the maximum allowed for its site." Almost every project built would be larger if permitted.

Re: West Coast Cities Turn to Vacancy Taxes to Grapple with Housing Crisis

#32

Post by Schiendelman »

triceratops wrote: post #19
Schiendelman wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you're misunderstanding the problem. Everyone wants to build more. Cities won't let them. It's often arbitrary and capricious.

I never said don't reform zoning or permitting . Allow building easily and charge a vacancy tax. Literally my first sentence in this thread was "Why not both?" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48262501

Why not both: because you'll get the vacancy tax and not the reform. Organizers target the easier work.

Re: West Coast Cities Turn to Vacancy Taxes to Grapple with Housing Crisis

#33

Post by boston_clone »

Schiendelman wrote: post #30
boston_clone wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> A residential vacancy rate that low means people are deeply stuck Is that what it means? Paris has a similar vacancy rate and seems to be doing alright. Vancouver has also seen population growth rates above 4%/yr, which outpaces the province, so people are moving there. Is there a talent shortage in that city? Unemployment seems higher than normal but that could be an oversimplification. I guess I’m struggling to s…

How are you defining "doing alright"...?

Have you been to Paris recently?

Great food, tons of bike and rail infra, 35 hour work week, strong social safety nets, lower than average rate of violent crime, wide consideration as the preeminent destination for fashion and art, etc. etc.

Re: West Coast Cities Turn to Vacancy Taxes to Grapple with Housing Crisis

#34

Post by Schiendelman »

boston_clone wrote: post #33
Schiendelman wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How are you defining "doing alright"...?

Have you been to Paris recently? Great food, tons of bike and rail infra, 35 hour work week, strong social safety nets, lower than average rate of violent crime, wide consideration as the preeminent destination for fashion and art, etc. etc.

Right - for the people who can afford to live there. That's dramatically artificially limited, the people who aren't rich don't get many of those things.

Re: West Coast Cities Turn to Vacancy Taxes to Grapple with Housing Crisis

#35

Post by boston_clone »

Schiendelman wrote: post #34
boston_clone wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you been to Paris recently? Great food, tons of bike and rail infra, 35 hour work week, strong social safety nets, lower than average rate of violent crime, wide consideration as the preeminent destination for fashion and art, etc. etc.

Right - for the people who can afford to live there . That's dramatically artificially limited, the people who aren't rich don't get many of those things.

Rent control helps, from what I remember. but I imagine you may be looking from the perspective of purchasing a home (in which yes - pricey!)

Re: West Coast Cities Turn to Vacancy Taxes to Grapple with Housing Crisis

#36

Post by Schiendelman »

boston_clone wrote: post #35
Schiendelman wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right - for the people who can afford to live there . That's dramatically artificially limited, the people who aren't rich don't get many of those things.

Rent control helps, from what I remember. but I imagine you may be looking from the perspective of purchasing a home (in which yes - pricey!)

Rent control doesn't change how many people get to live there, just swaps some people for others. And usually hinders housing production, reducing that number more over time.
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