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Prop 13 is a uniquely Californian problem, and yet homelessness is exploding all over the country. The problem isn't Prop 13. The problem isn't entirely nimby-
by vkou 3y ago
Prop 13 is a uniquely Californian problem, and yet homelessness is exploding all over the country.
The problem isn't Prop 13. The problem isn't entirely nimby-ism, either. The problem is that for a variety of structural reasons, housing costs too much, mental healthcare is not available, and there's no pathway for treating drug problems. This causes sick, addicted, or simply poor people who are living on the margins to slide into homelessness, with no way to climb back up the slide.
- ketzo 3y agoWell, California's housing crisis is uniquely intense by almost any measure (affordability, relative/absolute homeless population, median family wealth). Prop 13 is a unique and meaningful contributor to a glacial housing market -- if moving homes (to an equally-expensive home!) would quadruple your property tax, you're probably not gonna sell. And slow/frozen markets result in increased prices.
- stilldeadinside 3y agoHousing costs are high because it's hard to build a house. It's a dangerous task requiring a lot of logistics and coordination. There are toxic chemicals, dangerous heights, sharp objects, and requires being in unhealthy poses and breathing in fumes during the construction. Then there's the financial risks, with people not paying as promised, or withholding some pay due to work quality. At the end of the day, people are not willing to sacrifice their health as cheaply, and there isn't a new influx of cheap migrant labor, so the costs will remain high in the future.