[SRCAction] Fwd: Occupancy Fee updates FYI

[HARRIS WEBSTER]

Useful update on the 'housing bill that you may be interested in , somewhat hopeful , but somewhat disappointing.  Thanking Ann Cummings  would be a good idea.  Harris. 

-------- Original Message ----------
From: Kara Casey <kara at vtnetwork.org>
To: 'Wendy Morgan' <WMorgan at vtlegalaid.org>, American Academy of Pediatrics-Vt <swinters at vtmd.org>, Ari Kisler <akisler at wcysb.org>, auburn at vtnetwork.org, Avery- COTS <averyl at cotsonline.org>, "Ballantyne, Hedi" <hedi.ballantyne at gmail.com>, Beth Ann Maier <kidmd at hotmail.com>, 'Brooke Jenkins' <bjenkins at goodsamaritanhaven.org>, Capstone <dhoxworth at capstonevt.org>, Cathedral Square <fitzgerald at cathedralsquare.org>, Chris Donnelly <Chris.Donnelly at champlainhousingtrust.org>, CVOEO <jdemers at cvoeo.org>, Darah Kehnemuyi <darahk1 at yahoo.com>, Darlene Fury <dfurey at naswvt.org>, Downstreet <epeltier at downstreet.org>, Earl Kooperkamp <ekooperkamp at gmail.com>, Early Child Yrs Dev Center <juliebrigante at yahoo.com>, 'Erhard Mahnke' <erhardm at vtaffordablehousing.org>, Family Center-NCSS <danielle.lindley at ncssinc.org>, Ginnie Humphreys <verghum at yahoo.com>, Harris Webster <hewebster at comcast.net>, HPC <deborah at hpcvt.org>, HSN <cgoodwin at homesharenow.org>, Josh- Groundworks <jdavis at groundworksvt.org>, Julie Payne <jepayne at cjnvt.org>, Kelly Ault <kelly at vteca.org>, Kim Kie <pastorkimkie at gmail.com>, Lindsay D <lindsay at mainstreetalliance.org>, Margaret.Bozik at champlainhousingtrust.org, Marty Roberts <mroberts73 at comcast.net>, Matt Levin <matt at vteca.org>, Melinda Moulton <melinda at mainstreetlanding.com>, 'Melissa Battah' <melissa at viavt.org>, "'Mendl, MaryEllen'" <maryellen at unitedwaysvt.org>, "Michelle, Fay" <mfay at voicesforvtkids.org>, NEKYS <connie at nekys.org>, Pathways Vt <hilary at pathwaysvermont.org>, "Rev. Carl Hilton-VanOsdall" <fpcbarrepastor at gmail.com>, Rita Markley <RitaM at CotsOnline.org>, RuralEdge <trishai at ruraledge.org>, Rutland Mental Health Svs <kmayo at rmhsccn.org>, Samaritan House <joe.leclair at samaritan-house.com>, Sandy Paritz <SParitz at vtlegalaid.org>, Sara K-Upper Valley Haven <sarak at uppervalleyhaven.org>, Scott Murray <scott.murray at use.salvationarmy.org>, SEVCA-Steve <sgeller at sevca.org>, Spectrum <mredmond at spectrumvt.org>, VSHA <Richard at VSHA.org>, Vt Elders <Gini at vermontelders.org>, Vt Family Network <pam.mccarthy at vtfn.org>, Vt Low income Advocacy Council <kmlafayette at aol.com>, Vt Mental Health Counselors Association <bnielsen510 at hotmail.com>, Vt Retired Teachers <deliduka.L at gmail.com>, Vt-NEA <mallen at vtnea.org>, Westgate Housing <jhoover at westgatehousing.org>, Youth Svs Inc <russell.bradburycarlin at youthservicesinc.org>
Date: March 28, 2017 at 5:09 PM
Subject: Occupancy Fee updates


Hi All,

Most of you have probably seen the occupancy fee in the news quite a lot lately. A small group of us got together to discuss what has been going on and to talk strategy moving forward. Apologies in advance for the lengthy email!

 

Here is a rundown of where we are now: The Senate Finance Committee speedily passed S.100 (A bill that contains all of the Governor’s Housing related priorities) with the addition of S.99 (a bill related to TIF) and the occupancy fee. This version of the bill would impose a $2 occupancy surcharge (revenue now estimated at $7.2mill) with $2.5 mill of the revenue going toward VHFA to fund a $35 million housing bond for VHCB and all additional revenue going toward lake clean up.

Senate Finance is still hearing testimony and working through the occupancy fee part of the bill. The bill was in Senate appropriations this afternoon  where they wanted to wait on Senate Finance to work through any amendments they may have. It is estimated that the bill as it is would have enough votes to pass in the Senate.

 

Obviously, the bill as it is does not contain vital supports for the lowest income and most vulnerable Vermonters (to fund subsidy and services). We feel as though there may be room when the bill comes over to the House to have conversations about putting some of the revenue back toward housing related services and subsidy.

We are getting from the Senate administration that we should take this as a win and hold off on calls and emails (they have been supportive of the occupancy fee and have done some work behind the scenes to make this a priority). We at the Vt Network will continue to talk, in our advocacy, about the importance of subsidy and services in order to be able to house survivors with the highest needs and lowest incomes.

 

We also talked today about where we were flexible in terms of the bill. There has been talk of turning it from a $2 charge to a percentage charge (for ease of administration), we saw no issues with this. There is also talk of exempting campgrounds since they are cheap, are used by a lot of Vermonters and homeless folks may take refuge in campgrounds during the warm months- We were also ok with this change, if they choose to make it.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Kara

 

 

 

Kara Casey

Economic Justice & Housing Specialist

Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

P.O.  Box 405

Montpelier VT 05601

(802) 223-1302 x105

 

“Our purpose is to create a world free of oppression where actions, beliefs, and systems support all people to thrive.”

 

 

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