COUNCIL OPPOSES EMERYVILLE HOUSING MORATORIUM

UPDATE (2/17): The Emeryville City Council on Friday, Feb. 13 narrowly rejected a proposed moratorium on residential construction.

Placing a moratorium on building new housing at a time when the Bay Area is experiencing a major housing shortage and affordability crisis isn’t good policy. That’s the position the Bay Area Council is taking on a surprise proposal unveiled at the Emeryville City Council this week to temporarily halt all residential construction, with options to extend the freeze by up to a year. Strangely, the rationale given for the drastic move was concerns about rising housing prices. In a letter strongly opposing the move, the Council wrote that “a moratorium will not bring down costs or ease displacement concerns, in fact by further restricting new supply this proposal will have the exact opposite effect, further pushing up prices and forcing more longtime residents out of Emeryville.” The City Council is scheduled to vote on the moratorium today (Feb. 13). To engage in our housing policy work, contact Senior Vice President Matt Regan.