09/11/2026
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.