1. If elected, what steps would you take to ensure that neighborhood residents have a voice in development in their communities and that Seattle’s growth benefits everyone (e.g., homeless people, renters, low-wage workers?)

I will respect the current neighborhood plans. For those neighborhoods without them, I will work with the respective neighborhood groups to develop a clear roadmap for involving residents at the beginning of each project. We will then work together to refine the involvement process as projects move along."

To ensure that Seattle’s growth benefits all residents, I will ask for a neighborhood impact analysis of each proposed major project, program or plan.

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.

• Ensure onsite, 1:1 replacement of low-income housing for any federal redevelopment, such as Yesler Terrace.
• Support a “right of first refusal” ordinance that includes a waiver for a portion of the real estate excise taxes for owners who sell property to nonprofit developers to preserve low-income housing.
• Expand the multifamily tax abatement program.
  

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?)

• Parks and open space are amenities to be enjoyed by all. They must also safe for everyone. Access, safety and maintenance will be my top priorities.
• I support reviewing, with measurable outcomes, the impact of the parks exclusion ordinance.
• I support funding for downtown park rangers.
• I do not support limiting park hours any further.

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?

The concern is valid and often true. It is a cycle – if you don’t participate in the political process, elected officials often neglect your viewpoint. And, if you feel neglected, you often don’t participate. As a single voter and an organized community, you can change the way elected officials respond.

Our city’s greatness should be measured by how well we care for those with the least power among us.

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. We cannot claim to have a truly participatory government unless we include ALL our people. The city needs to incorporate effective outreach and involvement techniques specifically tailored to low-income and/or homeless communities. These strategies should be developed in partnership with the community-based organizations serving people who are low-income and/or homeless and the people themselves.

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?

We have the leadership and organizational resources to address the situations described. We need the political and community will to ensure that all people have access to the help they need to change their lives.

We need a dedicated source of funding for programs that move people out of poverty. And we need help. It is not just the city’s responsibility to fund all these programs. It will take everyone’s help.

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?

The transition needs to be planned and managed carefully and, again, I’d look to our housing advocates and users for advice. An iterative approach should be considered whereby we begin with a small reduction after a targeted number of permanent housing units are made available while monitoring the impacts on the demand for and quality of shelters.

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?

Healthcare is a hugely important concern for our residents. The City has a limited role in providing universal healthcare. However, it can use its powers of persuasion as it has done with other initiatives to influence federal, state and local policies and funding for healthcare.

The City of Seattle must also continue to partner with the county to ensure that our community based healthcare system remains well funded.

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

We need to provide better planning for the release of people from jail so they are not simply let out on the street and end up homeless. We need to look at programs around the country to see if there’s anything we can learn to help keep former inmates from becoming homeless and returning to jail.

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

Yes, I believe a lot can be done to provide more police accountability and department oversight. I look forward to the recommendations of the panel that has been assembled to look into the issues in that department since they will take an in-depth look at the problems and possible solutions. I plan to critically review their report and recommendations before making any of my own.

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