Topeka JUMP

IMPORTANT ACTION ITEMS:

1. Send a message to your councilmember asking them to support a 1/10 of one penny sales tax for affordable housing and homeless services (sample message attached)

2. Attend the Topeka City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 6pm at the City Council Chambers- 214 SE 8th Ave. Wear yellow!

BACKGROUND: Over the past year, we have been excited to see conversations brought forth by the Afffordable Housing Trust Fund Review Committee about letting the public vote on a 1/10 of one penny sales tax to support affordable housing and homeless services in Topeka. JUMP has said that we are interested in supporting this proposal and making sure it passes as long as our members can be sure that the funding will be used for the top solutions from the city's own studies (Affordable Housing Trust Fund, One-Stop Resource Center, Safe-Rest Shelter, Transitional Housing, etc.)

However, we have been very confused and concerned over the past couple of weeks as suddenly the city manager has brought forward a proposal that half this tax go to market rate housing incentives instead of homelessness. This adjustment was NOT approved by the review committee.

We also know that the city completed polling that showed that 67% of Topekans would vote to support a sales tax for 1/10 of one penny for affordable housing and homelessness, and we are know that this switch to market rate housing instead of homelessness would make it significantly less likely to pass. We cannot leave our homeless neighbors behind!

Please reach out to councilmembers- contact information is in the comments.

Please join us in solidarity to morn the latest shooting death in Topeka. The peace gathering will be Monday, August 24 at 4:00 at the corner of 23rd and California Avenue.

At last night's meeting, JUMP was there to celebrate as the City Council approved the first official allocations from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which will be invested in the building, rehab, and preservation of 205 affordable homes and apartments!! As we've heard from our elected officials, this fund would not exist without Topeka JUMP. This is a great reminder that when we persist and show up with PEOPLE POWER, we can win change to address our community's most pressing problems.

Please note that there is also additional funding still under consideration for an additional 24 units of affordable housing. Stay tuned for updates.

Next step: sustained public funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Let's keep up the momentum. JUMP for JUSTICE!

Last night over 1,000 people turned out at our Nehemiah Action to press for a common goal: making sure a proposed sales tax for affordable housing and homelessness is used on SPECIFIC, WELL-RESEARCHED solutions from the city's own studies. We thank Councilmembers Bradberry & Banks for their attendance and for their commitments. As they reminded us, they are two of nine total councilmembers. So, while they will use their voices to advocate for these specific solutions, they cannot guarantee that all other councilmembers will agree.

This is a reminder that their commitments are the start of a process- not the end. We will need to continue to show with people power over the next few months to win commitments from the rest of our council as well. JUMP for JUSTICE! And stay tuned for details!

Some logistics for tomorrow's Nehemiah Action (April 30, 6:30-8pm, Washburn's Lee Arena):

First, be warned about road closures just south of 21st & Washburn! You may need to go around the block to get the correct entrance if you're coming from the south.

Second, please remember to arrive at least 15 minutes early to get parked and find your seats.

And finally, here's the best places to park to access Lee Arena.

Get ready to DO JUSTICE! We can't wait to see you there.

!!!!Just two days away!!! See you at Washburn’s Lee Arena on April 30, 6:30-8pm.

Almost there! Just 3 more days 'til the Nehemiah Action- and our community needs YOUR voice. Join us and bring your friends to call for a real investment in proven affordable housing & homelessness services. April 30, 6:30-8pm, Washburn's Lee Arena (1901 SW Mulvane). Doors open at 5:30.

If you haven't heard the details on what's at stake at this year's Nehemiah Action, here they are:

The City of Topeka is considering a 1/10 of one penny sales tax for "affordable housing and homelessness-" - which would generate approximately $3.6-3.8 million each year. This proposal is popular- last year, in a city survey, 67% of Topekans said they'd likely vote in favor. We're excited this option is on the table- but we need more specifics. We're pressing for our councilmembers to put this on a ballot for a public vote- BUT- with half the funding going to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (funding the AHTF was the #1 recommendation from the city's own 2020 Housing Market Study) and the other half going to the top recommendations from the City's 2024 Homelessness Innovation Team Study.

To summarize: If we're going to consider this massive investment, we need to know it'll be going towards the top proven solutions from the city's own studies. For this reason, we are organizing as many people as possible to join us at Washburn's Lee Arena on this Thursday, April 30, 6:30-8pm. Join us, and bring all your friends!

Topeka Habitat for Humanity Thanks for joining us in advocacy and for all the wonderful work you do! 👏

A week away! We look forward to seeing you (and all of your friends!) at Lee Arena from 6:30-8pm on April 30th! (doors open at 5:30).