Measure A Local Dollars
Small cities claim they are being shortchanged in the distribution of funds from Measure A, a half-cent sales tax generating about $1 billion annually.
The numbers show that:
- Santa Clarita contributes $21.8 million but receives only $476,000.
- Torrance generates $26 million but gets $559,000.
The Local Solutions Fund is divided among cities, with Los Angeles receiving 57% of the fund, amounting to $55 million. The distribution formula is based mostly on each city's Point-in-Time homeless count from the past two years, with 10% based on extremely low-income households.
Cities are using the funds for various purposes, including:
- Shelter:
is spending its entire allocation to keep 1,100 shelter beds open.
- Housing: Pasadena is using funds to keep people in rental housing as federal subsidies expire.
Author's summary: Small cities feel shortchanged by Measure A funding distribution.