Roughly 10% of the housing in San Francisco - over 40,000 housing units - lay vacant in 2019. Thousands of these homes are owned but not occupied, simply accumulating value toward some future sale. Housing speculation affects all San Franciscans: Unhoused people denied safety and privacy, tenants bearing the burden of skyrocketing rents, and communities vulnerable to gentrification who watch their neighborhoods become investment vehicles.

San Francisco can address this issue with an empty homes tax. By taxing long-term vacancies, we can fight speculation while funding affordable housing that meets the needs of San Franciscans, not investors or the real estate market. In the coming weeks, we'll be hitting the streets to talk to our neighbors about this transformational legislation. Join DSA SF in the fight for an empty homes tax!