As Seattle grows, I will continue to expect and require that City departments and private developers work with communities as they plan new projects. I have supported City policies to carry out this commitment and will continue to do so.

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.

I will continue to support "one-for-one" housing replacement policies. I have and will continue to oppose the demolition of publicly owned housing, especially when it is practical and feasible to provide it for low-income or homeless people.

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 support policies that allow everyone the right to use our parks for respite and recreation. Parks have, at times, been the site of violence, alcohol consumption, and drug sales resulting in conduct that is harmful or frightening to users. All people should be held to the same standards of conduct that are there to ensure that our parks are safe and welcoming to individuals and families regardless of economic or housing status.

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?

Unless I hear directly from people who are experiences homelessness or other issues relating to poverty, I am not convinced that I have the best perspective and information to develop effective programs and policies to be of assistance. I need to hear from community members. I want everyone to know that they are welcome to my office and I am happy to meet people wherever and whenever convenient for them.

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

Yes, I will ask organizations advocating for low-income and homeless people to inform those they represent about City Council meetings and to invite them to our meetings. I will also continue to be out in the community in all places and settings to meet with and learn from people who are homeless. I will continue to support including low-income and homeless people on various boards and commissions that are of particular interest to their concerns.

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?

I'd ensure they knew about city services that help people find ways to lower the cost of living such as rental assistance or utility assistance programs which I have successfully expanded. For someone who is homeless, I'd provide information about people and organizations who can help, such as homeless service centers and employment and training programs. I would also link them up with a person who will take a personal interest in their success.

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 reduction in shelters can begin to occur only when we begin to have significant vacancy rates in beds. If there is a waiting list for shelters, there's no reason to end this very important service.

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?

The city should be responsible for providing strong support to our neighborhood Community Health Clinics and the Health Care for the Homeless agency. The city, along with the King County Board of Health, should ensure that our health department continues to have a functioning support system for healthcare in homeless service centers.

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

It is important that we have a sound discharge plan for each person before they are released from jail to minimize the chances of homelessness.

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

I think some changes are needed for more transparency of the decision making process of the Chief of Police. I look forward to hearing new and innovative ideas from the Police Accountability Review Panel when they report back to the city.

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