Claims that Chicago’s proposed “Mansion Tax” would help solve the city’s affordable housing problem are a mirage. It’s simple arithmetic.
Supporters say it will raise about $100 million in new revenue per year by boosting the transfer tax on sales over a million dollars.
How many housing units will that get?
Only a few hundred per year.
Crain’s had a terrific article Tuesday on why it costs the government so much to build affordable units. It lists all Chicago’s affordable housing projects, for 2023. Costs per unit ranged from $313,000 to $899,000, with a median average of $622,000.
So, $100 million of new revenue would build about 160 units annually at that median average cost.
But Chicago is short about 120,000 affordable units, according to a study last year by DePaul University’s Institute for Housing studies, plus whatever is needed for migrants. Revenue from the Mansion Tax would cover a negligible 0.00133 of the problem.
In fairness, maybe the revenue would be leveraged to induce private investment. The city hasn’t said how it would spend the money. If it successfully leveraged private sources, that would get more units built, but nothing on a scale approaching the size of the problem. Let’s say the city required private sources to fund 80% of the project. That would yield five times more units — 800 per year — which is still tiny compared to the size of the problem.
Nor does it matter if the cost per unit were at the low range of last year’s projects. The numbers just aren’t there to have a material impact.
Read the Crain’s article on why affordable housing costs are so high. Among the reasons:
The Mansion Tax is on the ballot for Chicago voters to decide on March 19.
-Mark Glennon
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
Truly amazing how my “working poor” parents managed to feed, cloth, and house us. They eked out an existence and never, NEVER, accepted government handouts.
We learned the difference between need and want.
They had pride and resilience – both of which seem to be lacking today.
dumb question, assuming Mansion Tax passes does CTU/Brandon get to dole out the tax revenue no questions asked? or does he have to go thru city council?
Yes, City Council would have to appropriate it.
The cost per unit is so high because of unions, their wages, their pensions, and all other perks. 100 million dollars a year is not enough or feasible. Government knows it but will go ahead anyway the “Do something even if it’s wrong. ” mentality. Has the government gotten an estimate from non union workers? No matter how Illinois builds this housing, it will be in shambles in 5 to 10 years, and we’ll have to do it again. It never ends. We need inspections to make sure this housing is maintained correctly.
Perhaps with a bit of spin the funds could be used for other things and possibly feel good vote buying programs. After all if Medicaid money can be spun into being able to use for gun control there is no telling where targeted funds can go these days. Why for all you know it might even fund a new house for the Mayor himself.
Raising money to help ‘unhoused’ is the fake reason for the mansion tax … which is a lie. Remember, communists don’t think any further than what is in front of their face. Right in front of Brandon’s face is ‘white wealth’ on the north side with all those fancy ‘mansions’. And now it’s time to make them pay up. As I said before, there’s obviously racial animus among Chicago’s black leaders. I’m not trying to stoke the flames of racial strife here. I’m as colorblind as can be, but I recognize that my enemies are not. Look at the facts:… Read more »
I’m sure the minute Mansion Tax is passed city will issue giant bond based on future tax revenues. With who knows who’s (chump taxpayers) responsible if tax revenues fall short.
Try explaining supply and demand to these politicians, you’ll probably just get a confused look. Who’s going to build any rental properties in a large enough amount that would make a dent in the demand. Add in the threat of rent control and you’ll never get anywhere near that 120,000 units that are needed. How about we cut out a lot of the freebies that attract low income people here and that will help lower the demand.
Mansion Tax $ can also be used for ‘homeless service providers’, that’s everybody from non-profits to CTU. CTU’s going to be looking for $ for their “sustainable schools” hustle. Also, Mansion Tax $ can be used for migrant mess.
“ The usual gang of idiots “ cannot solve any of Chicago’s problems. It takes a group of
Dedicated professionals, not a group who’s
Motto is “ first we get the money “.
A current mayor who always looks lost with
A boss that is not happy with him.
The mansion tax will just be a new slush fund
With which Brandon can shower on his minions.
Create, then solve problems, its all they attempt to do, add in “feel good moments”, you just described where we’re currently at.
Solving problems is not what the progressive agenda is really about.
P.S. Importing thousands of illegals won’t increase “affordable” housing either.