Latest news with #HomelessInitiative
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New L.A. County Sales Tax Hits, Jumping to 9.75% and Higher
As of Tuesday, L.A. County residents will see a sales tax increase on purchases as a result of a voter-approved measure that will support county-run homeless services. Sales tax will jump from 9.5% to 9.75%.The L.A. County approved a half-cent sales tax called Measure A in November, a replacement for the 2017 quarter-cent sales tax called Measure H, which was supposed to expire in 2027. The tax is estimated to generate more than $1 billion A will remain in effect until it's repealed by voters. This policy will affect all residents in unincorporated areas and cities that did not impose their own voter-approved tax. Approximately 60% of proceeds will go to county homeless services and 40% will be allocated for housing production. According to L.A. County's Homeless Initiative, Measure A aims to reduce the number of homeless and those living on the streets with mental or substance abuse disorders. It also stressed increasing availability of affordable cities within L.A. County already have higher sales tax rates and as a result, Measure A will increase those rates higher than 9.75%. Some of these cities include Burbank, Culver City, Malibu and West Hollywood, who's rate will increase from 10.25% to 10.5%.Cities such as Manhattan Beach, Downey and Lancaster approved their own rates in combination with Measure A. Their rates will be raised to 10.25%, 10.50% and 11.25% Pico Rivera, Santa Monica, South Gate and Lynwood were all previously exempt from Measure H's 0.25% sales tax, but their rate will now increase to 10.75% as they are now subject to Measure purchases such as furniture, toys, clothes and electronics can be taxed as a result of the measure. Some items — such as groceries, sales to the government, presrcription medicine and certain medical devices and items paid for with EBT cards — are exempt, according to the California Tax Service Center.
Los Angeles Times
31-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Sales taxes will rise across L.A. County starting Tuesday. Here's how it will impact you
Don't be surprised if there's a few extra cents rung up on your receipt this week. Starting Tuesday, Los Angeles County residents will see a quarter percent sales tax increase on their purchases due to a voter approved measure that supports county-run homeless services. As of April 1, Los Angeles County residents in unincorporated areas and in cities that did not impose their own voter-approved tax will see their sales tax jump from 9.5% to 9.75%. In California, Alameda County currently has the highest countywide sales tax at 10.25%, according to tax rates effective January 2025. In November, voters in Los Angeles County approved Measure A, a replacement for the county's 2017 quarter-cent sales tax to fund homeless services called Measure H. Measure H was set to expire in 2027. But now Measure A will replace it entirely, two years before the expiration date, and raise the tax rate to a half cent, which the county estimates will generate over $1 billion annually. The new tax will remain in effect until it's repealed by voters. Measure A's goals, according to the county's Homeless Initiative, includes reducing the number of people falling into homelessness and living on the streets with mental or substance use disorders, increasing the number of affordable housing units in the county and increasing the number of people transitioning into permanent housing from encampments. Here's the breakdown of how the proceeds of Measure A are slated to be used, by percentage. Approximately 60% of the proceeds will go towards county homeless services: Approximately 40% will be allocated to housing production: No. Some cities within the county have different, highers sales tax rates and as a result of Measure A those rates will be increased higher than 9.75%, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Cities whose current rate is 10.25% and will be increased to 10.50% as a result of Measure A: Cities that approved their own new sales tax rate in combination with Measure A, listed from highest rate to lowest: These cities were excluded from Measure H's 0.25% sales tax but now subject to Measure A and will see their sale tax rate increase to 10.75%: These cities are also seeing an increase from Measure A and their own local rate: A lot of your everyday purchases are subject to the tax including furniture, toys, clothing and electronics. The California Tax Service Center states items that are exempt from the sales tax includes:
CBS News
26-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
LA County Supervisors approve $637 million budget for homelessness services
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to allocate a $637 million budget for homelessness services. The unanimous vote came after several back and forth amendments to adjust the budget, which consisted of more than $535 million from fiscal year 2025-26 Measure A Comprehensive Homelessness Services funds, $59 million from one-time Measure H carryover and $42 million from the State Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program. More than $96 million of the Local Solutions Fund was allocated to cities and unincorporated areas that fit one of six formulas available for the board to choose. Carter Hewgley, the Senior Manager of Homeless Initiative said that Formula No. 6 stood out in incentivizing progress. Additionally, and despite vocal opposition from local leaders, the board considered adopting baseline and target metrics as recommended by the Executive Committee for Regional Homeless Alignment. Among those was Palmdale Mayor Richard Loa, who urged the board to reconsider the allocation. He said that the budget disproportionately takes money from cities and unincorporated areas that need it most. His sentiment was matched by City Council woman Nithya Raman, who's office released a statement saying that the Housing and Homeless Committee and Mayor Karen Bass shared concerns about how the funds would be distributed under new metrics. Supervisor Janice Hahn, who said that she supported equity in funding allocation, offered an amendment, which led board members to opt for Formula No. 4. Some residents also voiced their concerns over the allocation, including the reduction of about $7 million for new programs and youth homelessness services. They address board members during a public comment session, stressing the importance in supporting youth and immigrants who are more prone to or are already experiencing homelessness. Supervisor Lindsay Horvath said that Formula No. 4 benefited a majority of cities, but she said more funding would need to be funneled in order to support preventative measures for youth. She suggested using repurposed money from the Pathway Home Program, which is a collaboration between county and local jurisdictions. She also offered two amendments to the formula to restore transitional youth expenditures, housing navigation and transitional housing for special population. Those suggestions were opposed by Supervisor Holly Mitchell. She said that funds should not be taken from the Pathway Home Program, despite similarly supporting preventative services. The board was able to find a middle ground to adjust the funding after deliberations with a 5-0 vote. "Thanks to our voters, our county's 88 cities will finally have direct, reliable funding to address the unique homeless crises facing their communities with the solutions that work best for their residents," said Supervisor Hahn in a statement. "But just because this is new, doesn't mean we should start small. I want to get our cities the most amount of funding possible so they can start strong, make a difference in unsheltered homelessness, and be real partners win this work with us." Horvath also issued a statement, which read in part, "Our communities are tired of the status quo. They are frustrated with sharing their voices only for them to be ignored in the process. The days of rubber stamping are over. It's time for outcome-based budgeting, where we invest in programs that house the most people with our limited dollars, and standardize care across our system. ... We must ensure every dollar invested in homeless services is used wisely and leads to real results. Cutting funds for our transition-age youth is both cruel and irresponsible, and sacrificing our prevention services cuts our most cost-effective way to keep people housed and risks increasing flow into homelessness. We need more transparency and to genuinely listen to those who are directly impacted. This budget underscores the urgent need to consolidate homelessness services into one department, allowing us to better track investments and outcomes, and standardize services to maximize every dollar spent."
