A new USC study found Los Angeles County residents see homelessness as a serious problem, listing mental illness, addiction, the high cost of housing and financial pressures as the four top factors.
Proponents of Measure A on the Nov. 5 ballot — a one-half percent (0.50%) sales tax in L.A. County for homeless services that doubles the current tax — see the USC data as an indication of voter support. But that remains to be seen.
A poll conducted between Sept. 25 and Oct. 1 by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times found nearly 50% supporting the measure. The poll had a 3% margin of error.
The Measure A campaign says their blitz of ads on YouTube and TV screens, as well as phone banking — mostly happening after the UC Berkeley poll was taken — moves the needle toward passage. The measure needs a majority to pass.
“All polls show that voters support Measure A, and more move our way when they hear that it will stop a 25 percent increase in homelessness and move people from tents into mental health treatment,” said Sarah Dusseault, treasurer and adviser to the Measure A campaign, in an emailed response on Friday, Oct. 25.
The campaign has reached 6 million people on YouTube and produced 46 million ad impressions. Dusseault said the campaign has persuaded 200,000 potential voters to support Measure A.
“We think we are doing really well,” she added. The campaign did not offer any specific polling information, other than to say the UC Berkeley poll was done prior to their campaign blitz.
If Measure A passes the cost for middle-class families is estimated at $5 per month, and $2 per month for low-income families, according to the Measure A campaign.
What would it do?
Measure A would institute the one-half percent sales tax and make it permanent. It would also repeal Measure H, the one-quarter percent (0.25%) sales tax in the county that currently funds programs to reduce and prevent homelessness….
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