Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act Leads to Recognition from Tacoma-Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium

By Bryan Dominique
Communications Manager

Anticipation of the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act’s impact on the community’s ability to invest in affordable housing and related services projects is buzzing. On Tuesday, Oct. 12, the Pierce County Council was honored with a special recognition from the Tacoma-Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium for its advocacy for affordable housing in Pierce County.

The Council was primarily recognized for the bipartisan passage of the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act in March 2023, which established a dedicated revenue stream for affordable housing and related services that is expected to generate approximately $20 million in revenue annually. It also opens up more funding opportunities for the County through state and federal matching grants.

“Pierce County Council’s commitment to affordable housing is a beacon of hope, making housing accessible for all,” said the Tacoma-Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium in a Facebook post.

In all, the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act nearly quadruples the dedicated County funding for affordable housing. The County’s Housing Action Strategy, which the Council adopted in November 2022, found Pierce County must build at least 50,600 housing units at 50% of Area Medium Income (AMI) or less by 2044. The strategy also found that over half of these units must be affordable to households earning 30% AMI or less.

The legislation would not have been possible without the broad support of community members because it implements a countywide one-tenth of one percent sales tax increase dedicated to affordable housing and related services. This carries an impact of ten cents for every $100 spent – with groceries, medicine, and certain medical supplies and hygiene products exempt from the tax – for taxpayers. Its collective impact is monumental, though.

“Community members in Pierce County are passionate about addressing our affordable housing crisis. This revenue source gives us access to much-needed resources to help those needing an affordable place to live, including our veteran community and those fleeing abusive and often deadly situations at home,” said Council Chair Ryan Mello (District 4). “This Act also helps those who get up daily for work but simply can’t find affordable housing in Pierce County. It will help build and preserve 600 – 800 affordable housing units every year in Pierce County.”

Pierce County is prioritizing the revenue generated from the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act with:

• Up to 30 percent of the funds going to projects serving individuals with income below 30 percent of the area median income.
• Up to 50 percent of the funds going to projects serving individuals whose income is between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income.
• Up to 20 percent of the funds going to housing-related services, behavioral health treatment facilities, and related programs.

A key vote in the passage of the legislation was Councilmember and Executive Pro Tempore Dave Morell (District 1). In December, and again in March, he motioned for a continuance to allow more time to work through critical details, such as spending priorities and accountability measures for spending.

“There is undoubtedly a need for additional funding and resources to address affordable housing,” said Morell. “Any new tax needs to be coupled with a plan and accountability measures, and those were my primary concerns; I feel my concerns were addressed, which is why I supported the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act.”

The generated income from this sales and use tax supports programs and projects for individuals at or below 60% of the median income of Pierce County. This includes veterans, seniors, those with behavioral health conditions, homeless individuals, unaccompanied homeless youth, persons with disabilities, and domestic violence survivors.

“Just like the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act states, Maureen was fearless and committed to her advocacy for the homeless,” said Council Vice Chair Marty Campbell (District 5). “With the multiple investments we will make with this revenue to address affordable housing, her legacy will continue; the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act will help thousands of people.”

The Council received the 2023 Excellence in Affordable Housing Advocacy Award.