Multnomah County discusses Metro proposals to change Supportive Housing Services measure

At a January Multnomah County Board work session, county officials and staff reviewed Metro proposals to change the Supportive Housing Services (SHS) measure, including proposals to index tax thresholds, reduce the tax rate in stepped phases and broaden allowable uses to include more affordable-housing investments.

The discussion is consequential because SHS funds currently pay for shelter, supportive services and rent assistance across Multnomah County and its cities; proposed changes could shift the balance of services, alter local decision-making and affect how the region counts and measures progress. Chair Vega Peterson said the timing is urgent: “this is something that is gonna have deep, deep impact for Multnomah County.”

County staff described the core elements under consideration. Heather Lyons, senior policy advisor for Chair Vega Peterson on housing and homelessness, summarized the current SHS tax structure: “These taxes are a 1 percent tax on household income above 200,000 and individual income above 150,000 and a 1% profit tax on businesses with gross receipts higher than $5,000,000.” Metro’s proposals…