The Municipal Council of East Palo Alto has placed Measure L on the November 8, 2022 ballot for voter consideration, which is intended to help fund general government uses and community priorities such as housing.
Measure L provides for programs that help pay rent for needy tenants; affordable and accessible housing programs; protect local tenants and landlords from displacement and homelessness.
Residential rents in East Palo Alto have increased substantially, transferring income from tenants to property owners, most of whom live outside of East Palo Alto.
Measure L updates the business tax approved by voters in 2016 by increasing the business tax rate on certain residential rentals and expanding its applicability.
This tax does not apply to accessory or second home units, rented rooms in homes, or social housing. In addition, the law provides an exemption for hardship of payment.
This tax cannot be charged to tenants.
The ballot that voters will receive for the midterm elections on November 8 will include a text in English and Spanish with the following information, to which voters can only answer with a yes or no: