Speaker urges Spokane County to enact 0.1% sales tax to fund affordable housing

A public speaker on Aug. 12 urged Spokane County commissioners to adopt a local sales-and-use tax up to one-tenth of 1% to fund affordable housing and services, arguing that rising rents and low wages are primary drivers of homelessness.

Becky Dickerhoof, who identified herself as from Spokane, said rent increases and low wages leave households vulnerable and called for county action and broader policy changes. “The leading leading cause of homelessness is rents that are too high and wages that are too low,” Dickerhoof said during the open public forum.

She urged commissioners to enact what she called a “15 90 tax,” describing it as an ordinance that would amend “R Z W 82 dot 14 dot 5 30” (as pronounced in testimony) to allow the county legislative authority to impose a sales and use tax not to exceed one-tenth of 1 percent. Dickerhoof said at least 60% of that revenue should be used for construction of housing and related services, with the remainder for operations or services related to housing.

Dickerhoof criticized federal policies she said make housing more expensive and increase homelessness, and urged local investment in housing and voluntary supports as an effective approach. Her remarks were part of the open public forum; no county ordinance or motion to adopt a local tax was considered or acted on during the Aug. 12 meeting.

Discussion versus formal action: Dickerhoof’s remarks were public comment and did not prompt on-the-record action by the board at this meeting. Commissioners did not vote on or introduce legislation to implement the tax the same day.

Clarifying details: Dickerhoof stated the ordinance she referenced would permit a sales-and-use tax not to exceed 0.1% and said at least 60% of revenue should go to housing construction; she cited a code section verbally as “R Z W 82 dot 14 dot 5 30.”