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Alameda County 2024 Ballot Measures: A Guide to Key Local Propositions

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How to Use This Guide

The UWBA Voter Guide provides a summary of the measures on the November 2024 ballot that affect our mission and the communities we serve. This guide evaluates local and state measures that address both immediate needs and the systemic inequities contributing to poverty in the Bay Area.

Key Areas of Focus

  • Basic Needs: Access to food, shelter, healthcare, and other essential services.
  • Employment and Career Opportunities: Building pathways for youth and adults to achieve career goals and earn a living wage.
  • Financial Stability: Empowering individuals and families to reach financial goals, navigate crises, and improve their quality of life.
  • Housing Justice: Working with communities to improve access to stable, affordable housing and prevent homelessness.

Evaluation Criteria

Each ballot measure was evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Fit: Does it align with UWBA’s Public Policy Agenda and our programs?
  • Impact: How does it affect the populations we serve, and does it help dismantle systemic poverty?
  • Benefits vs. Risks: Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

Measure Recommendations

Each measure receives one of the following recommendations:

  • Support: Fully aligns with UWBA’s agenda and helps meet community needs.
  • Neutral: Related to UWBA’s agenda, but we remain neutral, often in collaboration with statewide networks.
  • Oppose: Detrimental to UWBA’s mission and programs.

For more information on our public policy efforts, visit our policy page

Quick Navigation

Alameda Measure R |

Business License Tax for Rental Assistance Measure

This measure establishes a supplemental special business license tax on rental businesses to provide approximately $475,000 in funding for local tenant rental assistance programs, code enforcement, and legal assistance for landlords and tenants.

Rationale

Tenant rental assistance programs benefit tenants and landlords because the rent gets paid when tenants face a financial crisis. Funding for code enforcement ensures habitability concerns are assessed promptly and with accountability to ensure repairs are made. All tenants are entitled to live in safe housing that meets state habitability standards. Investing in legal assistance supports both landlords and tenants in enforcing their rights and mediating disputes. We support this policy because it can reduce displacement in the City of Albany.

Alameda Measure BB |

Rent Stabilization Ordinance Amendments and Housing Retention

This measure would use existing revenue to fund housing retention and homelessness prevention programs through several policies. It expands “Just Cause” tenant protections and rent control to tenants living in duplexes who were previously exempt. The measure limits rental increases to 5%, eliminates suspension of rent controls during high vacancy, and limits the ways tenants can be charged for utilities. The measure also allows tenants to be notified of new rights, form tenant associations, and requires landlords to confer with them.

Rationale

Just Cause tenant protections prevent unreasonable evictions or non-renewal of a lease when tenants have abided by the lease agreement. We support comprehensive tenant protections and local rent control measures as a strategy to prevent displacement and ensure fair treatment of renters. All tenants should be informed of their rights and organize to advocate for their rights without retaliation.

Alameda Measure CC |

Establish Direct Rental Payments and Amendments to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance

This measure was written by landlords to create a fund using existing revenue that would then pay landlords on tenants’ behalf while reducing the existing powers of the Berkeley Rent Board. It also expands exemptions from rent control and registration for certain single-family homes and duplexes, allows property owners and tenants to agree to rent increases in exchange for services or amenities, and modifies certain grounds for eviction.

Rationale

We are concerned that this measure aims to strip the Berkeley Rent Board of its existing powers. Additionally, the proposed rental relief fund could be managed by landlords, effectively allowing them to pay themselves without oversight because the fund lacks governance by an accountable, elected body. Expanding exemptions to rent control and deregulating duplexes would leave some tenants without the protections afforded to others in Berkeley. This measure reduces renter protections and seeks to weaken the Rent Board’s current powers and responsibilities, which we strongly oppose.

Alameda Measure X |

Library Relief Act of 2024

This measure would create a special parcel tax to maintain Berkeley Public Library facilities and services, prioritizing neighborhood libraries, weekend and evening hours, diverse collections, and youth, educational and other programs, at $0.06 per square foot of improvements for dwelling units, and $0.09 per square foot for other properties, generating $5.6 million in addition to the current library tax of $0.28 per square foot for dwelling units and $0.4233 for other properties.

Rationale

We endorse library bonds because we recognize the vital role libraries play in the community. Libraries are not just repositories of books; they are hubs of community connection, providing essential resources such as access to computers, study spaces, and lifelong learning opportunities. Moreover, libraries offer crucial services like literacy programs, job search assistance, and educational workshops, which empower residents and foster social equity. By supporting this bond, we are investing in a stronger, more connected, and informed community.

UWBA Broadly Supports Investments in Education

View statewide and county-specific measures and propositions that impact education. Explore Education Measures

Explore Other County or California Propositions and Measures

Access the 2024 Greater Bay Area Voter Guide and Make Your Voice Count

  • PDF Download: Receive a downloadable PDF of the entire voter guide, covering all Bay Area counties for complete access.
  • Full Access to Key Ballot Measures: Gain detailed insights on both state and local measures shaping Santa Clara County’s future, including affordable housing and public safety.
  • Comprehensive Explanations: Understand how these measures impact financial stability, social equity, and align with United Way Bay Area’s mission to combat poverty.
  • Clear Recommendations: Get clear positions on crucial issues affecting housing, financial security, and essential community resources.

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