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 would make certain that land-use planning remains as much as possible at the grassroots level in our neighborhoods, not shifted to City Hall as has been recently proposed. I’ve been a neighborhood activist for 20 years, last year organizing nearly 2,000 neighbors to fight an out-of-scale retail development that would have eliminated 11 units of affordable housing and a locally-owned union grocer. Responsible development values mixed-uses, integration of all income levels, and sustainability.

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.

Lack of affordable housing has reached a crisis point in our city. We should adopt a fast-track option for building affordable units that reduces the current 18-20 month permit delay to 90 days or less, extend and expand the low-income housing levy, work with private employers to develop employee home-purchase financing plans, and lobby legislature for a temporary apartment-t0-condo local option conversion moratorium.

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 have been endorsed by all of the environmental groups and most park and open-space leaders in our city. Our parks should be accessible for every person living in or visiting the city. Safe parks help make Seattle a great city. I favor hiring additional police officers to address the staffing shortfall existing today; I would not change the exclusion ordinance substantially; and, I would not favor removing park seating.

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?

Homeless people are citizens and deserve to be respected and listened to. I strongly support city and nonprofit organization efforts to meet the essential care needs of these and all people. For over 20 years my church housed our neighborhood food bank and today we host a community dinner every Wednesday night for the homeless or others who wish to attend. I will be an advocate for the poor and homeless.

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

How a city responds to and treats those who don’t normally have a voice at the table is a good measure of the values and character of that city. I would meet frequently with low-income or homeless individuals and their advocates, listen to their stories, and help them make connections to get their basic needs met. I will be an advocate for the poor and the homeless.

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 would make certain this individual knew about and had access to the various social services available for temporary housing and assistance. I would work for higher density of housing along major transportation corridors. I would make sure city policies protected working family jobs, especially industrial and light manufacturing jobs. And, I would aggressively work for construction of more affordable housing.

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?

Reduction in shelter should be synchronized with the greater availability of affordable housing. In other words, we shouldn’t reduce shelter space until housing units are more readily available for everyone.

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 can provide basic health care services through the public health department and through community-based clinics run by nonprofit organizations. Funding these services is essential for a caring city.

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

I don’t have specific thoughts or recommendations on this question at this time.

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

Yes. I support modification of the current system to better ensure accountability through transparency. I believe the Chief of Police should be required to publicly document his findings in disciplinary cases, especially when his findings and dispositions differ from those of the Office of Professional Accountability. However, I want to see the recommendations of the Mayor’s citizens’ panel before taking any specific position. We must proceed with care and fact-based decisions in this important area.

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