A local bargain to help end homelessness

As a Lacey homeowner, I read with interest last Sunday’s story on the Home Fund group’s proposal to relieve local homelessness through a housing levy of 36 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value (”Group pushes for tax to fund affordable housing” 6/5/16).

In my case, that comes to about $70 a year in increased taxes. Or, almost $6 a month.

For $6 a month, I’m helping my fellow Washingtonians out of homelessness, and away from some of the supporting social services that entails. As I (and we) help our neighbors gain even a small amount of financial stability, Thurston County gets to put a dent in its homeless problem. Which in turn makes our little slice of Washington an even more desireable place to live.

Six dollars a month to help people out AND strengthen our local community? That’s a bargain. Put in on the ballot. I’m in.

This story was originally published June 14, 2016 at 11:24 AM with the headline "A local bargain to help end homelessness."