politics

Metro Discusses Next Steps After Passage Of Homeless Services Measure

By Meerah Powell (OPB)
May 21, 2020 8:57 p.m.

Members of Metro, the regional government for the Portland metro area, discussed Thursday next steps for the supportive housing services ballot measure that was recently passed by voters.

The measure is looking to raise upwards of $250 million per year to support people experiencing homelessness in the Portland region.

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It will enact two new taxes starting in January 2021 — a 1% marginal income tax on individuals earning more than $125,000 annually or couples who earn more than $200,000, as well as a 1% tax on the profits of businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $5 million.

Those taxes will be distributed to the tri-county area based on population and will fund services including case management, rental assistance, and addiction and mental health treatment.

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Metro has released a planned timeline of the program's implementation.

According to its timeline, the agency will work with various organizations and community partners through the summer to come up with a regional framework for the program.

Starting in June, Metro will work on intergovernmental agreements with local jurisdictions for the program. Member selection for the program’s oversight committee will also begin. That committee will have public meetings and ensure full transparency of the program’s work.

Then, from September to January of next year, local jurisdictions will develop their own implementation plans.

Tax collection for the program will begin in January. First quarterly revenues from the personal income tax will be available in April of 2021. Revenues from the business income tax won't be available until April 2022, as they will be annual, Metro said.

Services in the tri-county area aren't expected to be funded by the tax until July of next year.

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