Pastors urge council to keep housing tax focused on homelessness, criticize shift toward market-rate housing

Three public commenters representing faith groups and Topeka Jump pressed the committee to keep any new 0.1¢ housing tax targeted at homelessness and low‑income affordable housing rather than market‑rate development. Reverend Christine Potter said earlier committee discussions and polling showed strong public support for funding homelessness services, asking, “Why are we turning our backs on the poor?” and urging the committee to let voters decide with language focused on need.

Reverend Jeff Potter and Reverend Dr. Annie Ricker echoed that concern and asked the council to preserve the original committee language that tied the 0.1¢ to homelessness and affordable housing. The speakers cited city polling they said found 67% support and warned that a shift toward market‑rate housing would undercut public trust and the stated goals of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Committee members acknowledged the public comments and requested clearer draft language and definitions before forwarding any ballot proposal to the full governing body.