Measure E on San Francisco’s March 2020 Ballot

Proposition E is a local measure slated for the March municipal ballot in San Francisco, seeking to create a penalty for new office development without a weighted-balance to affordable housing.

According to a recent and thorough analysis from Bloomberg’s CityLab, under this new accounting, in any year that the City fails to live up to its state-mandated obligation to approve new affordable housing, the legal cap on new office space would be lowered by the same degree.

However, a relevant counterpoint is that a “yes” vote on the proposition could potentially limit future office and workforce growth, as the measure punishes office developers, not affordable housing developers.

Both sides of the issue are compelling urban planning considerations, with those supporting seeking to compel an affordable housing solution, and the opposition saying it could push companies to look elsewhere in the Bay Area for office operations.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Chris Egger