The measure is directed at vacant second\u00a0homes\u00a0and does not apply\u00a0to primary residences, renters, long-term rental\u00a0properties\u00a0or active-duty\u00a0military members\u00a0and\u00a0impacts\u00a0less than\u00a01% of properties in the city, according to Elo-Rivera\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
Unlike many of the statewide decisions in the upcoming ballot, the fate of Measure A will be decided in the June election\u2014with no November vote.<\/p>\n
Yes\u00a0on Measure A City officials and residents rally for Empty Homes Tax. (Alliance San Diego)<\/p>\n Alliance San Diego, supporters of the measure,\u00a0believe that Measure A will help return properties to the housing market and generate revenue.\u00a0The organization also suggests that revenue will go to essential city services.<\/p>\n City Councilmember Kent Lee said the solution to housing affordability\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0only building new\u00a0homes but\u00a0freeing up already\u00a0available properties.<\/p>\n \u201cEmpty\u00a0homes\u00a0should be lived in, rented out, or sold to someone who will use them for their intended purpose,\u201d Lee said.<\/p>\n More than 5,100\u00a0San Diego homes sit vacant during most of the year, according to Alliance San Diego.<\/p>\n San Diego\u00a0remains\u00a0one of the most expensive cities in the nation, according to\u00a0U.S. News & World Report.<\/a>\u00a0Most recently, the average cost for a San Diego home hit the $1 million mark in\u00a02023.<\/p>\n Alliance San Diego Civic Engagement Director\u00a0Itzel Maganda Chavez said Measure A might help her finally\u00a0have a forever home.<\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s vote will have a direct impact on my life, and if the more than 5,100\u00a0homes\u00a0left vacant in the city were put up for sale, my husband and I might actually have a shot at making\u00a0San\u00a0Diego\u00a0our forever home, three times the chances we have now,\u201d\u00a0Maganda Chavez said.<\/p>\n Additionally, the measure has been endorsed by San\u00a0Diego\u00a0City Fire Fighters, I.A.F.F. Local 145, the San Diego Housing Federation,\u00a0San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, and the San Diego Municipal\u00a0Employees Association.<\/p>\n \u201cFirefighters stand with the\u00a0Empty\u00a0Homes\u00a0Tax\u00a0because it would generate revenue and make meaningful progress on affordability at a time when our members are struggling to afford\u00a0homes\u00a0in our city,\u201d Fire Union President George Duardo said.<\/p>\n Elo-Rivera believes Measure A will help bring San Diego homes back to working families.<\/p>\n \u201cThis measure is simple:\u00a0homes\u00a0should be for\u00a0San\u00a0Diegans, not just for profit,\u201d Elo-Rivera said. \u201cEvery home that comes back into use is a door opened for a family that gets to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n No on Measure A Shane Harris, spokesperson for No on Measure A campaign, speaks during a press conference. (No on Measure A Campaign)<\/p>\n The No on Measure A campaign is skeptical that the tax will\u00a0actually fund\u00a0services that\u00a0address\u00a0housing affordability and instead\u00a0simply go back into the city\u2019s general fund.<\/p>\n This campaign is\u00a0largely being\u00a0pushed by activist Shane Harris, who is the No on Measure A spokesperson.<\/p>\n \u201cWith ballots already in voters\u2019 mailboxes, it\u2019s\u00a0critical voters have clear, honest information,\u201d Harris said. \u201cThis campaign is focused on cutting through the noise and making sure people know the facts before they vote.\u201d<\/p>\n Those against the measure believe the tax targets homeowners and is invasive.\u00a0Others in the No on Measure A campaign include former City Councilmember Scott Sherman, President of the San Diego Association of Realtors Karen Van Ness\u00a0and President of Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors Claudia Zaker.<\/p>\n![\"<em>City](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f8c5354825e04da5e445c090e57a9982.jpeg\"\/)
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