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?)

The neighborhood councils are set up to plan growth in38 areas of Seattle. This is an excellent tool for planning. All community residents are welcome to attend these meetings and be part of the decision-making process.

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 agree that there is a crisis with affordable apartments in the city. This is largely a result of many condo conversions. I think we need to seek solutions. Working with builders who would like to make low-cost rental units or building with a mixture of more expensive units and some low-cost units would be helpful. Perhaps we could reduce the myriad of regulations the builder needs to deal with, in order to reduce construction costs.

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 was glad to see that the mayor is adding "park rangers" to his budget for 2008. It is important that public open spaces are used in appropriate ways, to keep them safe and sanitary for all the public.

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?

I think many people in our society feel that elected officials don't listen. Hence the low voter turnout rates. This is a common feeling. The city's hotline phone number to call, if you don't know who to call or where to look, is (206) 684-CITY. This number could be posted at all the shelters, in various languages.

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

Notices of public hearings which can affect homeless issues could be posted at all shelters and low-income housing buildings.

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?

(a) I can relate! I raised six children on a single-income budget as an Army wife. There's a wonderful curriculum called Financial Peace University. It's a 13-segment lecture series which lays out a lot of information about household budgeting and financial planning. This would be a wonderful resource to make available to those struggling to make ends meet.

(b) I would look into the City establishing a fund, whereby Seattle could do fund-matching for individuals who are trying to save up first and last month's rent, in order to move in to an apartment. The individual would need to demonstrate some responsibility to be doing financial planning. When they had saved up half of the money needed for first and last month's rent (up to $750), the city could then match that money, paying it directly to the apartment owner for a prospective unit.

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?

As shelters are being fully utilized, it would be unwise to downsize them until housing is available. More individuals may be coming in to the system, as well; so if shelters have a high occupancy rate during the winter months of one year, it should not reduce beds the following winter.

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 mayor's proposed 311 telephone system for helping individuals find the city offices they need should help with this. The service could be extended to include nonprofit agencies aiding the homeless.

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

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

Yes, I believe that when the Chief does not instate disciplinary actions which are recommended by an oversight committee, he needs to state his reasons in writing and submit them back to the committee.

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