How effective are affordable housing efforts?

There has been and continues to be significant discussion on the affordable housing issues in Kitsap County. A group called Homes For All advocates for affordable housing and Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council has started an Ad Hoc Committee on Affordable Housing. They both seem to have the goal of either providing affordable housing or determining a path to ensure more affordable housing is available, including looking at additional revenue sources.

The first question I want answered is what are we spending now on affordable housing and social issues? How much is being spent in Kitsap County every year? The last 5 years? How much has Housing Kitsap and Bremerton Housing Authority spent on affordable housing in the last 5 years? Both groups advocating for affordable housing seem to think at first glance that new revenue is needed. Olympia has given counties and cities the ability via Revised Code of Washington to increase property tax (RCW 84.52.105), increase sales tax, (RCW 82.14.530, give incentives for affordable housing (RCW 36.70A.540) including a multi-family tax exemption (RCW 84.14).

Does Olympia even know what is being spent now and how effective have the expenditures been in the last 5 years? How much federal, state, county, city, charitable and private funds are being spent now in Kitsap County just on affordable housing issues? Answer that question in detail before you come asking for more taxes or fees to support affordable housing programs. Be open and transparent.

Roger Gay, South Kitsap