I have actively supported – and will continue to support – measures such as increased funding for low-income housing, neighborhood involvement and support for nonprofits working to give a voice to the homeless and to low-wage workers. As Seattle grows, we must approach development carefully and ensure that those affected by change have a seat at the table during planning and development stages. Community benefits should be the top priority when assessing potential development.

2. Building and preserving new housing units is key to solving our housing and homelessness crisis, but preventing the loss of the affordable housing that already exists is equally important. If elected, what would you do to preserve existing affordable / low-income housing? Please be specific about what the city can do under current law, and what changes, if any, you support in state law.

First, the city must redouble efforts to gain authority to limit condo-conversions as one way to maintain affordable rental housing. Currently, state law prohibits cities from doing so. I have lobbied in Olympia in support of such legislation and in support of measures that protect renters affected by condo conversion. Additionally, I believe that the council should implement a policy that replaces public housing units affected by development with a one-to-one replacement within the area.

3. What would you do to ensure that parks and open spaces are safe and accessible to all people, including homeless people, families with children, nearby workers, and others? Please be specific about what, if any, changes you would make in how parks are used and regulated. (e.g.; would you modify or eliminate the parks exclusion ordinance, support limiting park hours, support funding for downtown park rangers, add or remove park seating?)

I did not support the mayor’s plan to add park rangers to last year’s budget. City parks should be open to all. I have backed reasonable park hours and the need for periodic police patrols to ensure safety. I like the idea of activating parks, such as allowing concession wagons, ice cream sales and Real Change vendors. We will all be more comfortable in parks that are kept safe, clean and accessible.

4. People struggling with homelessness and poverty are often focused on making ends meet, finding a place to sleep, and otherwise taking care of their basic needs and the needs of their families. Many don’t feel that elected officials listen to them, and don’t see much value in participating in the political process. How would you respond to that concern?

Someone just getting by is not likely to have the time or means to participate in the political process. Thus ending homelessness and providing living-wage jobs is a top priority for me. Beyond that, we must do a better job of outreach to those who have valuable insights but are disenfranchised. Seattle fortunately has many nonprofits and social service agencies that help connect people with government and with organizations advocating for issues they care about.

5. If elected, would you take any steps to increase participation in the public process by people who are low-income and/or homeless?

Absolutely. I have taken and will take giant steps to increase public participation. As technology chair, charged with renewal of cable franchises, I held hearings at City Hall and at such off-campus sites as the Seattle Center and Yesler Community Center. I worked to expand coverage on Channel 21, obtain free modems for community centers and schools and provide better funding for SCAN, the Seattle citizens access network.

6. How would you respond to someone who is: Housed, but barely making ends meet, and concerned about losing their housing as costs rise and affordable housing is lost? Homeless, and feels they have no hope of finding a job that pays enough to afford a place to live as the cost of
housing continues to rise in Seattle?

While on the Council, I have supported efforts to build more low-income housing, to land bank for future housing and to preserve housing stocks. By increasing supply, we combat rising prices and ensure working people can afford to live in Seattle. For the homeless, there’s hope the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness will find a way to put a roof over every bed and provide services to help find jobs for those who seek them.

7. The Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness prioritizes permanent housing over shelter. How should this transition be managed, i.e., at what point in is a reduction in shelter appropriate?

Ideally, we would still maintain shelters until it is possible to put a roof over every bed. It is hoped that point will come within the ten years or even before. However, it may be necessary to keep specialized, temporary shelter – such as shelters for domestic abuse victims or for those displaced during floods or windstorms — available even afterwards.

8. Poverty and homelessness are bad for one’s health. What role does the City of Seattle have in making sure people’s health care needs are met?

In 2004, my office wrote and sponsored a resolution declaring that health care is a basic human right. To this end, it is essential for Seattle to do all it can to provide health care to those who are uninsured or underinsured. I have spearheaded support for a number of programs including Project Access, which connects the uninsured with doctors doing pro-bono work, Senior Services Senior Centers, and community health clinics.

9. Please speak to changes you would like to see in the local jail system, focusing on how those changes impact homelessness?

I would like to see a far more enlightened approach to drug offenses with emphasis put on treatment rather than punishment. In 2003, I advocated and voted for reduced penalties for pot possession. As far as the jail system is concerned, I have backed reforms such as diversion, community courts and improved public defense.

10. Do you support any changes to the system for police accountability/oversight?

Yes. I do believe that there are means of improving police accountability. Our three-tiered system of civilian oversight, which has been in operation for six years, is overdue for re-examining. Once the work of a review panel is completed, it will be up to the Seattle City Council to rework the system to make it stronger and better.

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