The Mayor’s Big Idea for Affordable Housing, Explained
Aug 12, 2024
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Mayor Mike Johnston, focused on tackling Denver's homelessness crisis, discusses his bold proposal to increase sales tax for affordable housing funding. Joined by Robin Kniech, an experienced city council member, they explore potential gaps in the plan and the necessity of ensuring it benefits those most in need. They also examine Denver's historical shortcomings in housing policy and how community movements have shaped the current landscape. Their conversation invites listeners to consider whether they would support the proposed tax hike.
Mayor Johnston's proposal to raise sales tax by 0.05% aims to generate $100 million annually for affordable housing in Denver.
Concerns exist regarding the potential misallocation of funds, which may inadvertently favor luxury housing over support for low-income families.
Deep dives
Mayor's Proposal for Affordable Housing Financing
The mayor has introduced a proposal for a new sales tax aimed at financing affordable housing in Denver, suggesting a rate of five cents on every $10 spent. This sales tax is expected to generate around $100 million annually, potentially allowing for the construction of numerous housing units. However, the details of how these funds will be allocated remain unclear, raising concerns among residents regarding the effectiveness of this tax in directly addressing the housing crisis. Key questions focus on whether the funds will primarily support land acquisition and construction or also include financial assistance programs for renters and first-time homebuyers.
Concerns Over Allocation and Luxury Housing
There are apprehensions that the proposed sales tax may inadvertently support programs that subsidize luxury housing, rather than focusing on individuals and families who genuinely need affordable options. The current language of the ordinance allows for rental assistance up to $2,900 per month, a figure that could benefit higher-income households rather than those struggling under $60,000 a year. This potential misallocation of funds has raised significant concerns among voters, who want clarity on how the funds will be utilized to truly support affordable housing. The ongoing city council discussions aim to address these issues and refine the proposal to better target assistance for those in most need.
Historical Context and Political Will for Change
The historical context of Denver's approach to affordable housing reveals a slow evolution in funding and public awareness about the housing crisis. When the former councilwoman was elected in 2011, the city had no local funding dedicated to affordable housing, relying mainly on federal provisions. Over time, as awareness of the problem grew and the impacts began to affect broader segments of the community, political will strengthened to secure dedicated funding streams. The current administration now faces the challenge of building on that foundation to ensure that proposed measures effectively address affordable housing needs throughout the city.
When Mayor Mike Johnston took office last year, he focused on Denver’s homelessness crisis, then the strain caused by thousands of migrants arriving from South and Central America. Now, he’s turning his attention to affordable housing, with a proposal that will likely be in front of Denver voters in November: Should Denver increase sales taxes by 0.05% to raise as much as $100 million per year for affordable housing? Robin Kniech led the charge on affordable housing as at-large member of city council for 12 years, and she’s on today with host Bree Davies to talk about the gaps she sees in the mayor’s proposal and how she thinks it could reshape our city.
What do you think about a sales tax hike to fund affordable housing? Will you vote for it? Or not? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418
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