Supportive Housing Services Tax: Difference between revisions

On February&nbsp;25, 2020, the Metro Council unanimously approved&nbsp;ORDINANCE NO. 20-1442, to refer a&nbsp;Supportive Housing Services Ballot Measure to voters on the May 19 ballot.&nbsp;<br/> &nbsp;

"Portland: First and only public hearing on Metro homeless measure."&nbsp;Jennifer Dowling/KOIN 6 News, ''Portland Tribune'', 15 February, 2020. [Thomas 2020]:

''"Community members got a chance on Thursday, Feb. 13, to weigh in on a new tax that aims to help homeless people in the greater Portland area.''

''The Metro Council plans to work on the language of the measure on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The elected regional government could decide whether to put the measure on the May primary ballot as early as Thursday, Feb. 20.''

''Metro is a regional government, serving the three-county Portland area, and covers such issues as the Oregon Zoo, solid waste disposal and the urban growth boundary. Homelessness services has not been part of the Metro charter.''

''[[File:Lynn-Peterson-Metro-President-PMG-File-Photo.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Lynn Peterson, Metro president]]''&nbsp; ''[PMG FILE PHOTO, right&nbsp;- '''Metro Council President Lynn Peterson''' is the driving force behind a fast-tracked bill, likely heading to voters in May, creating an income tax to pay for homeless services.]''

''The Metro council is looking at raising taxes on wealthier people who live in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties.''

''Nick Christensen, a senior public affairs specialist for Metro, said staff is discussing a 1% tax on individuals who make more than $125,000 per year, or couples who make at least $250,000 per year. The money would help fund things like mental health services, health care and additional treatment services. It would not be for building more affordable housing.''

''Metro voters approved an affordable housing bond at the November 2018 general election.''

''Local reactions''

''A large number of people and service organizations testified in favor of the tax on Thursday, including '''Katrina Holland''' who is a board member of the HereTogether advocacy organization that has proposed the measure.''

''"It's long overdue," she said. "We had a housing crisis for many years."''

''Others said supportive housing provides a critical foundation for wellness. Jennifer Langston said she has experienced homelessness in the past and is in favor of the tax.''

''But many people expressed concerns with the measure, saying more work is needed. One person testified that shelters are not the answer. Others questioned whether the money would be spent correctly.''

''"Our money isn't being spent the way it should be now, so what assurances do we have that this will be any different?" Gary Marschke asked.''

'''''Dan Newth''' is a vendor for Street Roots, a newspaper that provides income and visibility for homeless people. He said has experienced homelessness firsthand. He told Metro officials, "Policies are beneficial for staff and negative for those trying to get into housing."''

''Another man complained that the tax is not equitable, saying, "My work is being devalued to make a better life for me and my family and coworkers. I feel like I'm an ATM. I'm not a billionaire — I'm blue-collar."''

'''''Cascade Policy Institute President John Charles Jr.''' said Metro doesn't have many answers so far and the process has been rushed.''

''"How are they proposing to get the money?" he asked. "How much money? Where is it going to go? What are the metrics for measuring success? They don't, by their own admission, know any of that."''

''KOIN 6, a news partner of Pamplin Media Group, took some of these questions to Metro President Lynn Peterson and HereTogether. Peterson said Metro will set up an oversight committee to provide greater accountability.''

''"The reality is, this is something that we've been talking about for years," Katrina Holland said. "Quite frankly, after the housing bond passed (in 2019), immediately advocates in the community were thinking we need to pair these dollars with services dollars and we tried multiple things but it didn't go well."''

''Holland said she is optimistic the current measure will end up on the ballot."''