Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.
The Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors’ opposition to the Workforce Housing Solutions Act is as predictable as it is misleading. Their op-ed claims concern for affordable housing, but their real priority is protecting their profits from luxury home sales.
First, their outrage over the democratic process is laughable. Citizen and community-based organization initiatives are a legitimate, voter-driven tool, and they conveniently ignore that Santa Cruz’s deep-pocketed real estate interests have long used their own financial muscle to influence local policy. The real reason they oppose this measure? It asks luxury home sellers to contribute a modest tax to help working families afford to live here.
Their claim that property transfer taxes harm sales is more fearmongering. Many cities use them effectively to fund housing solutions without depressing the market. And let’s be clear: The average Santa Cruz resident won’t pay this tax – only the wealthiest sellers of homes over $1.8 million.
Realtors opposing this measure while claiming to care about affordability is like oil companies pretending to fight climate change. If they truly cared about affordable housing, they’d stop blocking every real effort to create it. Santa Cruz voters shouldn’t be fooled.
Mark Stephens
Felton