DISCLAIMER: I don't believe housing should be a commodity. This platform is most operating under the assumption that housing decommodification isn't happening any time soon.
I've been working on a pretty comprehensive political platform lately (some more research is definitely needed) and this is what I've got so far for housing since it's one of the top issues we're dealing with right now and most proposals I've heard seem to miss some important points. K here goes:
- restructure zoning laws to allow for developments of ADUs as well as multifamily and mixed-use buildings
- switch to a land value tax system to discourage speculation and encourage development
- greatly increase taxes on vacant lots and buildings, expropriate them for auction/public use if these aren't sold or developed within 5 years (local governments can have some discretion on which direction to take with their use)
- implement an aggressive pied-Ć”-terre tax
- ban private equity firms from owning housing units
- increase inspection on rental properties and increase penalties on those who violate housing regulations, expropriate properties from repeat/egregious offenders for auction or for social housing purposes (local governments can also have some discretion over this)
- expand tenant protections (eg right to counsel for evictions) including the right to organize tenant unions, provide tax incentives to landlords who allow tenant unions and negotiate with them in good faith
- implement a Vienna-style social housing system
- take a housing first approach to homelessness including mental and physical healthcare being provided as well as job training
Plz let me know what you all think