Council Backs Measure H for Tax to Fight Homelessness, on March Ballot

The Pasadena City Council Monday evening agreed unanimously to adopt a Resolution in support of Measure H, the Los Angeles County Plan to Prevent and Combat Homelessness, a 1/4 cent special sales tax to fund homeless services, placed on the March 7, 2017 ballot with approval of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

According to the City staff report and recommendation, Los Angeles County launched the Homeless Initiative to combat homelessness throughout the County on August 17, 2015, following a comprehensive planning process, including 18 policy summits on nine topics from October 1 to December 3, 2015, which brought together 25 LA County departments, 30 cities, including representatives from the City of Pasadena, other public agencies, and over 100 community partners and stakeholders.

The Initiative advances 47 coordinated strategies to prevent and end homelessness, including homeless prevention, housing subsidies, services and case management, and new affordable/homeless housing with $100 million in one-time LA County funds approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Other recent funding sources are also in place to create housing for the homeless population, according to the report.

In the November 2016 general election, City of Los Angeles
voters approved Proposition HHH to fund the construction of approximately 10,000 units of permanent supportive housing over the next 10 years in the City of Los Angeles. The State of California’s “No Place Like Home” Bond would also leverage resources and finance about 5, 700 permanent supportive housing units over four funding cycles throughout the State, the recommendation stated.

A source of ongoing funding to provide supportive services is still needed. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has estimated that $450 million a year, not counting construction costs, in services funding is required to make serious strides to address homelessness across the County.

Said Rabbi Marvin Gross, testifying during the public comment section, “This will crack the back of homelessness. I know that there is more energy now than ever in this city depicted to fighting the homelessness problem, such as its Housing First policy. This will cost Pasadena residents just $12 a year, and generate $355 million a year.”

Though the County has reallocated funds to the Homeless Initiative programs and set aside County general funds, the County determined that the best method to secure necessary funding on an ongoing basis would be to adopt an ongoing revenue measure, according to the staff recommendation.

The LA County Board of Supervisors subsequently voted on December 6, 2016, to place a measure on the March 7, 2017 ballot asking voters to approve a special 1/4 cent sales tax, that will be
levied for a period of ten years, to generate ongoing revenue dedicated to preventing and combating the homelessness issue, and fund the County’s Homeless Initiative Plan.

The sales tax would be levied in incorporated and unincorporated portions of LA County, including Pasadena, and is expected to raise approximately $355 million a year.

According to the staff recommendation, support for the ballot measure is in accordance with the city’s own Pasadena Continuum of Care system, General Plan Housing Element, Five-Year
Consolidated Plan, and Five-Year Public Housing Authority Plan.

Supporting Rabbi Gross’ position, Sieglinde Von Deffner, regional coordinator for Union Station Homeless Services, said, “The stars are aligned like they have never been before. This funding is also based on evidence-based practices,” she said. “These are programs that work.”

Emily Bradley, Pasadena resident and member of the Pasadena Continuum of care, said, “We want to see the City’s progress continue. This would generate a sustainable source of support for the community across LA County. 45,000 would find a home, and many more will be prevented from being homeless. The cost of doing nothing costs more.”