Tasked with garnering support for a Board of Supervisors-approved motion seeking legislative authority to help fund the fight against homelessness, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas flew to Sacramento to speak with lawmakers.
“We have polled extensively, and we have learned from the people that homelessness is a top tier issue, second only to jobs and the economy,” Mr. Ridley-Thomas testified before the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, chaired by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).
“Homelessness is the issue driving people’s conscience.
“You will hear a cry of urgency,” Mr. Ridley-Thomas added. “We need your help in allowing us to do what we need to do. We need to go to the ballot. We need your permission to allow us to do that.”
With 46,874 homeless in the County every night, the Board approved a Homeless Initiative to explore options for addressing the crisis. After conducting 18 policy summits and collaborating with 25 County departments, 30 cities, and 100 community organizations, the Office of the Homeless Initiative developed 47 strategies.
The Board approved the strategies in February. They allocated $100 million in one-time funding for initial implementation. Now it is weighing options for funding, including redirecting Measure B revenue, imposing a parcel tax, a marijuana tax, a half-cent sales tax, or a half-percent tax on personal income exceeding $1 million a year. At present, the Board cannot use the last option as it requires a change in state law.
A recent poll has shown that a half-percent tax on personal income exceeding $1 million a year tax would be supported by 76 percent of likely voters. It would also generate $243 million each year, which, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, would cover half the annual amount needed to provide services to the homeless population on an ongoing basis.
“I am asking this Committee to consider the Board’s directive to include budget trailer bill language that would provide counties with the authority to seek voter approval at the local level to impose a special tax on personal annual incomes over $1 million for providing housing and services for homeless individuals/families.”
He expressed the Board’s support of the Senate’s No Place Like Home proposal, authored by Senate President Pro Temp Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), which seeks to build affordable housing for the homeless and mentally ill.
“Los Angeles County needs to find the ongoing revenue to support the services that homeless individuals will need, even after they obtain housing,” Mr. Ridley-Thomas said.
He met with several state lawmakers, and urged the public to advocate for trailer bill language that would grant counties the authority impose a special tax on personal income above $1 million a year to address homelessness.
