The community group Astoria Housing for All aims to address local impacts of the housing crisis through a new citywide ballot measure. Their proposal, the Astoria Housing Initiative, establishes an empty homes tax: an annual charge on residential properties vacant more than six months of the year. Income generated will fund projects to increase housing access in Astoria.
Astoria Housing for All is hosting two community meetings in February to announce the initiative and hear feedback. The first meeting will be on Tuesday, February 3rd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Anita Building (1312 Commercial Street in Astoria). The second meeting will be on Saturday, February 7th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm in the Flag Room at the Astoria Public Library. Both sessions feature the same content.