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A growing number of longtime California homeowners say Proposition 19, approved by voters in 2020, is forcing hard choices and prompting sales of family homes. A farmer and an activist are pushing to amend the proposition to protect cherished family homes.
Proposition 19 was pitched to help seniors pass down property without steep tax increases, but that may be true only if the home or land is under $1,000,000—unrealistic for many in California, including farmers like Chris Matisse, who worries about his land’s future. Under Prop 19, children who inherit a home must live in it full time to keep any portion of their parents’ low property tax; however, if the home is worth more than $1,044,005.86, that amount is subject to a 1% tax. To illustrate, a $2,000,000 home would have annual taxes about $10,000 higher. Matisse purchased a 20,000-acre farm in West Fresno County more than 15 years ago and plans for the property to stay in the family. “If you sell it all, grab his neck,” he told his son, underscoring the pressure on family farms. “It’s important. It’s important in the family for sure.” He adds that protecting land for future generations is essential in California.
San Francisco activist Gina C. Louie is working to shield people like Matisse from losing long-held homes or property due to Prop 19 and argues the wording is misleading. “Some of those ads were deceptive, and those were ads put out by the California Association of Realtors. They mentioned that if you were to live in the home after your parents passed and they were living in the home, you would not see any property tax reassessment. We need to save future generations. Unfortunately, a lot of them don't realize that this fight is for them.” Louie is seeking to roll back parts of Prop 19 by asking voters to approve a constitutional amendment to reassess inherited homes to current market value. Prop 19 to save our children's future is a constitutional amendment that needs 875,000 valid signatures. In the first campaign, 402,000 valid signatures were gathered; in the second, 560,000. She notes that companion legislation has been filed.
Louie stresses the broader risk as Bay Area prices top $1,000,000 for typical homes, with high values even in byways. “Back in 2003, 2004, San Francisco median values were only about 400,000. Shoot back to 2025 now and you're seeing values at 1,600,000.” Matisse says protecting family property, especially farmland, is crucial for California’s future. “I encourage whatever family can keep the land, give it to your kids, your grandkids, don't sell it. And the small farmer is where America's always been.”