Who’s keeping an eye on the effects of new taxes on homelessness funding? After a decade of taxpayer spending on homelessness without much improvement on the streets, the big nonprofits behind the funding asked for more. To calm concerns about past funds being wasted, two new tax measures were introduced with oversight to increase transparency. Voters accepted the deal, and now $1.5 billion from the measures will be flowing in.
One consequence of the oversight is a bunch of new abbreviations for the public to figure out. These boards have experts from various fields and elected officials. The new structure has broad goals and specific targets, but it can be confusing for decision makers and the public. Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman is hopeful about the new boards she sits on but feels frustrated with the lack of outcomes so far. Kerry Morrison, a nonprofit founder, finds the new groups hard to follow.
The two new spigots of money, ULA and Measure A, are pouring into different buckets for housing and homeless prevention programs. The oversight committees have had some growing pains with conflicts and unanticipated issues. The new agencies aim to make the public glad they voted for the taxes but face challenges in showing results and overcoming disillusionment from past failures. The oversight bodies need to work together to ensure accountability and success in combating homelessness.
