Oakland, Calif., Eyeing Vacant Parcels Tax for Homeless Services

Oakland, Calif., could collect $20 million annually from a vacant parcel tax to fund affordable housing, blight remediation, and homeless services under a proposed voter initiative.

A pair of City Council committees considered April 24 whether to place on the November ballot aninitiativeto impose a $3,000 tax per vacant residential and nonresidential unit. A $6,000 tax would be imposed on vacant single-family homes, undeveloped parcels, and nonresidential properties if entirely vacant.

The Finance and Management Committee and Community and Economic Development Committee postponed until May 22 voting on advancing the measure to the full council. Their decision came ...