California finance expert Tom Rubin analyzes MTC's proposed $10–20 bn bond measure, which would chuck some greenbacks at jurisdictions in the name of developing/preserving affordable housing. Not only does the measure lack clear performance metrics (um, are we talking 100 or 10,000 units produced?), but it neglects key market problems—suggesting instead we hand gov't (more) cash to figure everything out. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreFormer SJ D10 Charter Review commissioner Tobin Gilman scrutinizes the City and County's plan to make housing more cost-effective: by raising property owners' taxes (median of $1,250/month in SJ), via a $10–20 million regional bond. Bond funding would then go to counties for “building affordable housing.” But does it really make sense, asks Gilman on Medium, to make housing less affordable for one group in order to subsidize affordable housing for another?
Read MoreCoalition of Sensible Taxpayers' president Mimi Willard gives Opp Now readers an exclusive lowdown on what she believes would follow the passage of ACA 1—and the State's proposed “affordable housing” bond (which would dedicate $2.2–4.4 billion specifically to Santa Clara County).
Read MoreIn this Opp Now exclusive, Tobin Gilman chimes into the ongoing debate on whether SJ Council should direct funds primarily toward short- or long-term supportive housing projects. Whereas some like Khamis and Holtz posit the Measure E reallocation stemmed from “competing visions” about housing, Gilman says it was much simpler: all about consequences for our General Fund.
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