Personal Injury Law
Addressing the Housing Crisis: San Francisco’s Vacant Home Tax Summary: San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors has unanimously passed a vacant home tax law, set to take effect on January 1, 2024. The law aims to tackle the city’s skyrocketing housing costs by taxing owners of buildings with three or more units where a residential unit remains vacant for more than six months in a given year. The tax rate increases the longer a home is left vacant and is scheduled to begin on April 30, 2025. With an estimated 15 percent of all homes in San Francisco currently empty, the vacant home tax serves as a response to the city’s housing crisis and has been praised as a model for other cities. As personal injury bloggers, we frequently encounter stories that shed light on various issues affecting communities. Today, we turn our attention to San Francisco, where the city’s Board of Supervisors has taken a significant step towards addressing the housing crisis. The passing of the vacant home tax law aims to tackle the issue of vacant properties, offering relief to the skyrocketing housing costs that have burdened residents and contributed to an alarming increase in empty homes. San Francisco’s housing market has long been plagued by exorbitant prices and a lack of affordable options. Many homeowners in the city do not reside in the properties they own, exacerbating the problem. To address this issue, the vacant home tax law imposes a tax on owners of buildings with three or more units, specifically targeting residential units that remain vacant for more than six months in a given year. The tax rate increases proportionally with the size of the unit and the duration of its vacancy. Scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024, the vacant home tax law provides a framework for implementation, ensuring clarity for property owners and guidance on tax collection. Supervisor Dean Preston emphasizes the city’s commitment to providing solutions and relief to residents facing housing difficulties. The passing of this law is a significant step towards achieving that goal. According to a report released by the Budget and Legislative Analyst Office, the number of vacant homes in San Francisco has risen dramatically in recent years. In 2021, an astonishing 61,473 homes stood empty, a 52 percent increase from 2019. This alarming statistic highlights the urgency of the housing crisis in the city. Among major cities in America, San Francisco has the highest rate of empty homes, with an estimated 15 percent of all homes currently vacant. The vacant home tax law is a direct response to these staggering numbers. By incentivizing property owners to make their homes available for rent or sale, the law promotes a more balanced housing market and increases the availability of affordable housing options. San Francisco’s initiative has garnered attention as a model for other cities grappling with similar challenges. The passing of the vacant home tax law is a promising development in the ongoing fight against the housing crisis in San Francisco. By holding property owners accountable for vacant units, the city is taking a stand to ensure that housing is accessible to all. As personal injury bloggers, we recognize the significance of this law in providing relief to residents struggling with housing costs and hope that it serves as a catalyst for change in other communities facing similar challenges. Word count: 543
October 18, 2023
