Vote yes on the Home Fund measure

I’m planning to vote for the Home Fund ballot measure on Feb. 13. Homelessness isn’t just a crisis of today — it’s an even bigger crisis in the future if we don’t act now. We are facing a collision between rising rents, a shortage of affordable housing, and a growing population, especially with special needs such as mental health. For families that rely on low-wage jobs, this spells extreme danger of being priced out of housing. We could very well face a tsunami of homelessness in the next few years.

The Home Fund is an essential first step in getting hundreds of people out of harm’s way and into safe, warm housing. The Home Fund will also make it possible for local housing providers to attract more matching funds from the county, state and federal government, along with the private sector.

An overwhelming yes vote for the Home Fund will also encourage local leaders in neighboring cities to take action too. And together, we will be able to spare vulnerable children, families and adults from the trauma and hardship of homelessness.

This story was originally published January 19, 2018 at 3:47 PM with the headline "Vote yes on the Home Fund measure."