San Mateo’s housing crisis is not just about high rents — it’s a direct cause of homelessness. As shown in the book, “Homelessness is a Housing Problem,” when cities fail to build enough homes, prices soar, and vulnerable populations are pushed into homelessness. Today over 35% of families in San Mateo spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Measure T offers a critical solution by removing outdated restrictions on building heights and densities, allowing more housing, especially near transit.
For decades, San Mateo has limited housing growth with restrictive zoning, like Measure Y, making it impossible to build enough homes. This results in displacement, longer commutes, higher rents (45% up this year for a two-bedroom), and increased greenhouse gas emissions as workers are forced to live farther from their jobs. Measure T will help reverse this trend by enabling denser, more affordable housing, which is desperately needed to keep families in our community.
Opponents claim this will ruin the city’s character, but the real threat is failing to act. We can’t ban people from moving or commuting here. We can only decide if we make it legal to build enough housing for them. Cities that allow more housing thrive with diverse, vibrant communities. Voting yes on Measure T means supporting sustainable growth, reducing homelessness, and building a San Mateo that works for everyone.
Sorry, Mr. Hernandez, but Measure T is a flawed bait and switch measure. If folks have voter remorse, they can change their vote in the future as I expect there will be future Measure T “clones” in the near and far future. Meanwhile, I’d recommend folks start voting out the folks who decided to put Measure T on the ballot. Measure T repeals Measure Y so whatever “protections” were given under Measure Y is now taken away. Essentially, Measure T may create places to live at exactly where they want, and not the most convenient. Vote NO on Measure T.
Terrence -- I and a whole loke of voters in San Mateo wholeheartedly agree with you. This measure T is the same as the previous attempt measure R which went down in flames with a super-majority of NO votes.
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Sorry, Mr. Hernandez, but Measure T is a flawed bait and switch measure. If folks have voter remorse, they can change their vote in the future as I expect there will be future Measure T “clones” in the near and far future. Meanwhile, I’d recommend folks start voting out the folks who decided to put Measure T on the ballot. Measure T repeals Measure Y so whatever “protections” were given under Measure Y is now taken away. Essentially, Measure T may create places to live at exactly where they want, and not the most convenient. Vote NO on Measure T.
Terrence -- I and a whole loke of voters in San Mateo wholeheartedly agree with you. This measure T is the same as the previous attempt measure R which went down in flames with a super-majority of NO votes.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.