Resident urges Spokane County to use sales-tax authority to build housing
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Summary
Becky Deckerhoof told the Spokane County Board of County Commissioners that recent reductions to social programs are increasing homelessness and urged the county to use authority under RCW 82.14.530 to impose a sales-and-use tax of up to one‑tenth of 1% to fund housing construction and services.
Becky Deckerhoof, a member of the public, told the Spokane County Board of County Commissioners during the Oct. 28, 2025 consent-agenda meeting that an 80‑year‑old blind woman had recently been found living on the street and that reductions to federal and state safety‑net programs are worsening homelessness.
“This should make you cringe,” Deckerhoof said, and added that the situation “should make you question what has happened to our country's safety net that was created during the depression.”
Deckerhoof urged the county to enact what she described as a sales-and-use tax authorized by RCW 82.14.530. She said the statute permits a county legislative authority to impose a sales or use tax not to exceed one‑tenth of 1% of the selling price or value of the article used. Deckerhoof said at least 60% of revenues from that tax must be used for construction of housing and related services and that the balance be used for operation, delivery or services related to housing.
Deckerhoof also warned that local funding from sales tax could face strain due to economic pressures and that waiting lists for affordable units in the Spokane region run “up to 3 years.” She said changes to SNAP and Medicaid will likely increase housing need going into the new year.
No county action on the proposals was taken at the meeting; Deckerhoof’s remarks were made during the open public forum and the board closed public comment after no additional speakers responded to final calls for testimony.