Voters will face a pivotal decision about the future of low-income housing in Cincinnati on May 4. Issue 3 is a charter amendment that would require Cincinnati to set aside $50 million every year for new construction of affordable homes and renovation of existing affordable homes.
Advocates of the ballot initiative say it is a long-overdue and much-needed investment in everyday citizens who are being priced out of the Queen City. Opponents of Issue 3 say it will cripple the city's budget and result in deep cuts to critical services such as law enforcement.
The Enquirer will host a virtual debate on Issue 3 at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 29. The hourlong debate can be viewed live on Cincinnati.com and The Enquirer's Greater Cincinnati Politics Facebook group.
More:Issue 3: Everything you need to know about Cincinnati’s affordable housing amendment
The debate will be moderated by Opinion Editor Kevin Aldridge and City Hall reporter Sharon Coolidge.
Advocating for Issue 3 at the debate will be Mona Jenkins, director of development and operations for the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition; the Rev. Nelson Pierce Jr., senior pastor of Beloved Community Church in Avondale; and Josh Spring, co-chair of Cincinnati Action for Housing Now.
Representing the Vote No on Issue 3 campaign will be Renita Jones-Street, AFSCME regional director; Pete McLinden, executive secretary-treasurer of the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council; and Matt Alter, president of Cincinnati Fire Fighters Union Local 48.
"Issue 3 puts the question of how the city prioritizes spending directly in the hands of the voters, and its passage would have significant impact on the budget," said Enquirer Executive Editor Beryl Love. "It’s crucial that voters understand the concerns of both sides before casting their ballots, and this debate will provide that opportunity."
Readers can submit their questions about Issue 3 by email between now and the debate to [email protected]. A few of the reader-submitted questions will get asked during the debate.
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