It’s "dramatically higher" than any number under discussion, and not even close to what the city will raise with its new tax on large businesses.
Monday, the Seattle City Council passed a measure that will tax large businesses (those that gross more than $20 million per year) $275 per employee per year; though the amount is less than it was in the original proposal, the implementing the "head tax" will raise an estimated $45 million to address the very serious housing crisis in the region.
It’s not a small sum, but it’s a fraction of the $400 million the consulting firm McKinsey recently estimated that the city would need to spend to house all its homeless citizens; that number, writes David Kroman at Crosscut, is “dramatically higher than any dollar amount under serious discussion either in Seattle City Hall or in King County Council chambers.”
“In addition to the dollar estimate,” Kroman goes on, “the report found strong correlation between rising rents and the rising homeless population.”
Seattle is only one of many American cities with very high rents and an increasingly number of people unable to afford them, and only one of several that have tried to find new revenue streams or additional funds to address the issue.
FULL STORY: The pricetag to solve homelessness: $400M a year, new estimate says
Seattle Reaches Compromise on Controversial Tax for Affordable Housing
The Seattle City Council, prompted by pressure from Mayor Jenny Durkan, approved a smaller version of the "Head Tax" that provoked the ire of Amazon.
Amazon, Seattle Go to War Over Proposed Tax
Amazon, a company with cities throwing money at its feet all over the country, has decided to halt construction on an expansion in its hometown over a proposed "head tax."
Tax on High Earners Proposed to Fund Homeless Services in Seattle's King County
The Washington State Legislature is proposing a type of tax that the city of Seattle tried, and failed, to implement a few years go.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.
Philadelphia Could Lose Free Transit Program
The city’s upcoming budget doesn’t include the Zero Fare program, which offers free SEPTA fare to more than 24,000 residents.
Inferior US Vehicle Standard Threaten European Safety
EU vehicles are much safer than U.S. vehicles due to better standards. The U.S. wants its standard to be considered ‘equivalent’ for import purposes. A European Transport Safety Council report examines the conflict.
Washington State Plans Ambitious ‘Cycle Highway’ Network
The state is directing funding to close gaps in its existing bike network and make long-distance trips more accessible.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Borough of Carlisle
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland