On Episode 4 of the Street Roots podcast, host DeVon Pouncey interviews Mulnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and Cole Merkel of HereTogether Oregon. The conversation is centered around Measure 26-210, which is aimed at giving supportive services to the unhoused community.
“This year we have a really exciting opportunity, and it’s the opportunity to go big," Kafoury says. "Supportive housing is when you combine affordable housing with services like mental health support, addiction treatment, rent assistance and job training. We know that combining affordable housing with supportive services is the No. 1 way to keep people housed."
Merkel speaks to who will be taxed if this measure is passed and the equitable lens in regards to why they will be taxed.
“We could not solve the homelessness crisis by exacerbating the affordability crisis. The taxes that we put together would be on those folks who can actually afford them, and only very small taxes at that. … It exempts about 90% of households in our region.”
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Kafoury and Merkel also discuss the voting process during the pandemic, pushback that the measure has received, how this measure affects the last two affordable housing bonds that were passed in 2016 and 2018, and more.
Listen to the full episode below.
The Street Roots Podcast reflects the opinions of host DeVon Pouncey and his guests.
Street Roots Podcast With DeVon Pouncey
Street Roots · Episode 004: Chair Deborah Kafoury and Cole Merkel Interview