Los Angeles, CA — Today, in her first motion as a member of the Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Hahn joined Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to offer resolution to include a sales tax initiative on the March ballot to address the homelessness crisis. The resolution passed with unanimous support.
A countywide vote on the measure is scheduled to be held March 7, 2017. Should voters approve the measure, the Countywide quarter-cent sales tax will generate up to $355 million annually to fund homeless services in LA County. The tax would be levied for ten years.
“By the latest count, 46,000 people are living without homes in LA County,” said Supervisor Hahn. “We must face this challenge head on. Voters are demanding action and this quarter-cent sales tax is the answer. I appreciate the leadership of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and the support of my colleagues who passed this measure with unanimous support.”
Supervisor Hahn also spoke out at the meeting in support of Housing First policies.
“We used to demand people get their life together before we awarded them housing,” said Supervisor Hahn. “That system was counterproductive. We know that it is impossible to get your life together when you are living on the streets. Housing first is the only answer to the homelessness crisis.”
The Board of Supervisors also voted today to declare a state of emergency regarding homelessness in LA County.