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Resident urges Spokane County to adopt 0.1% sales tax option to fund housing for unsheltered
Summary
At the Sept. 9 Spokane County commissioners meeting, a Spokane resident urged the county to enact the “15/90” sales-and-use tax option under RCW 82.14.530 to fund construction and services for people experiencing homelessness; the comment was delivered during the open public forum and no county action was taken during the meeting.
Becky Deckerhoff, a Spokane resident, told the Spokane County Board of County Commissioners during the Sept. 9 open public forum that the board should enact the so-called “15/90” sales-and-use tax authorized by state law to create more housing for people experiencing homelessness. "This ordinance, which amended RCW 82.14.530, allows the county legislative authority to impose a sales and use tax not to exceed one‑tenth of one percent," Deckerhoff said, adding that at least 60% of revenues must be used for construction of housing and related services and the remainder for operations and delivery of housing services.
Deckerhoff framed the request as a response to affordability and homelessness data. She cited figures from the National Low Income Housing Coalition and said, as of 2025, an individual on Social Security could afford about $290 in rent, a full‑time worker at minimum wage about $377, and the average renter‑wage worker about $1,227; she also said the 2025 fair‑market rent is about $1,465 for a one‑bedroom and $1,749 for a two‑bedroom. “Only affordable, viable housing will solve the homelessness crisis,” she told the commissioners.
The comment was offered during the meeting’s public comment period; no staff presentation or formal board action on the tax was on the published agenda that day. Commissioners did not take public questions during the forum, and the chair closed the public comment period after Deckerhoff finished.
Why it matters: RCW 82.14.530 is the Washington statute that authorizes counties to adopt a local sales‑and‑use tax up to 0.1 percent for housing and related services when the county legislative authority votes to do so. Adoption would create a dedicated, local revenue source restricted by statute; any action to adopt such a tax would require a future formal agenda item and a vote by the board.
Meeting context: Deckerhoff was the only speaker during the open public forum portion of the Sept. 9 consent‑agenda meeting. The board proceeded to consent and public‑hearing business after closing the forum; no proposal or even discussion about placing a 0.1% local option sales tax on a future agenda was recorded in the meeting transcript.
For follow up: Commissioners or staff who want to pursue this option would need to request a formal agenda bill, provide an analysis of projected revenue and required allocations (including the statutory 60% construction minimum), and, if approved by the board, schedule the ordinance for adoption consistent with notice and public hearing requirements.
