Title
Consider a Referral Regarding the Study of Reparations for the Descendants of Enslaved African People
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Consider a referral regarding the study of reparations for the descendants of enslaved African people.
Report
Issue:
Whether to consider a referral regarding the study of reparations for the descendants of enslaved African people.
Staff Contact:
Jay Burney, City Manager, 360.753.8244
Presenter(s):
Mayor Dontae Payne
Background and Analysis:
The referral directs:
• Staff to draft a resolution calling on the state Legislature, Governor, Congress, and the Office of the President of the United States to create state and federal taskforces/commissions to study reparations for the descendants of enslaved African people. The resolution should also encourage other Washington municipalities to join the City of Olympia in making a similar request of our state and federal governments.
• Staff to research possible city-scale actions and continue to explore ways the city government can support efforts to petition our state and federal governments to study this issue and implement findings.
• Staff to connect Olympia Strong initiatives, Affordable Homeownership Study findings, Comprehensive Plan, Fair Housing Assessment, Capital Facilities, and non-government and governmental partnerships to our city’s actions.
• Research other cities that have taken similar actions.
The referral is sponsored by Mayor Dontae Payne, with support from Mayor Pro Tem Huỳnh and Councilmember Robert Vanderpool.
Climate Analysis:
This item does not have a specific climate impact.
Equity Analysis:
The City of Olympia has committed itself to diversity, equity and, inclusion with a statement, which commits to becoming an anti-racist city, which encompasses not only the removal of barriers that impact Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), but also repairing the harm that has been done. In Thurston County, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) households are more likely to be renters with approximately 42% of BIPOC households renting compared to 31% of white households.
Homeownership is the primary means for wealth building in the United States. The average homeowner’s net worth is forty times that of a typical renter according to the Federal Reserve. Data from the 2022 Assessment of Fair Housing indicates that individuals participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program or on the waitlist for housing assistance from the Housing Authority of Thurston County are more likely to be Black, Indigenous and people of color, people with disabilities, and other members of protected classes. For example, Black households comprised 11% of the Housing Choice Voucher Program participants in the City of Olympia, compared to 2.8% of the general population, and 20% of applicants on the waiting list for assistance from the Housing Authority of Thurston County identified as Black or African American.
According to the National League of Cities, municipalities across the country are committed to increasing the upward economic mobility of residents and reducing the racial wealth gap. By allocating funds to address these goals, the municipalities can also lessen the impact of coming downturns on families and their municipal budget. One unique opportunity to do both is to improve the ability of communities of color to become homeowners, which is work the City of Olympia has prioritized. A lack of equitable access to homeownership has consistently been a key driver of the racial wealth divide. Homeownership offers a consistent, predictable housing payment that can serve as a buffer against rising housing costs, the chance to build equity, and a potential asset that can be passed down to future generations.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Community members have an interest in diversity, equity and inclusion for all that live in Olympia.
Financial Impact:
There are no known financial impacts at this time.
Options:
1. Approve the referral to staff.
2. Approve the referral, with amendments to staff.
3. Do not approve the referral to staff.
Attachments:
Referral
Draft Resolution