Cincinnati city officials are considering a proposal that would use marijuana tax revenue to help fund a new housing-focused reparations program.
The Cincinnati City Council is expected to take up discussion of the “Cincinnati Real Property Reparations Program” in early March. The proposal is cosponsored by Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney and Councilman Scotty Johnson, and would provide housing-related financial assistance to certain residents.
Under the plan, the city would make an initial $5 million investment using a combination of marijuana tax revenue and capital budget funds. The program would focus on 15 of Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods and would offer assistance to low- to moderate-income residents, as well as individuals or family members of individuals who were previously prevented from purchasing homes due to discriminatory practices.
Funds could be used for down payments, delinquent property taxes or emergency home repairs.
Reparations programs tied to marijuana tax revenue have emerged in other parts of the country. Evanston, Illinois became the first city to issue $25,000 payments to some Black residents through a program funded by marijuana tax revenue.
