Earlier this election season, HRB approached local candidates for U.S. House of Representatives, Washington State Senate, Washington State House of Representatives, and Kitsap County Commission with an opportunity to share their take on the affordable housing crisis and describe a policy response. Ten replied. Of those ten, three have advanced to the general election. We have reproduced their answers exactly as they were submitted. When you cast your vote in the coming weeks, we urge you to consider affordable housing and select candidates who offer effective policies and critical understanding.
(Please note that as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization HRB cannot endorse any candidate seeking public office. We can provide voter education only.)
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington District 6
No questionnaire response returned.
1. Washington state has an affordable housing crisis. What do you believe contributes to this crisis and why?
For too many Washington families, housing is unaffordable or inaccessible. We are indeed in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. This crisis is a consequence of years of underbuilding the housing we need to accommodate our growing region, and an unregulated rental market that has attracted private equity and venture capital, international investments, and price-fixing from rental platforms. I often hear from constituents who are forced to skip meals or forgo necessary medications to pay their rent, or young people who have lost hope of ever owning a home. I, too, had given up, until I qualified for down payment assistance from Washington State’s First Time Homebuyer program. I got lucky – that I qualified for a mortgage, that the interest rates were affordable, that there was a home on the market in my price range. But when I knock doors and talk to neighbors, I meet many who aren’t so lucky – retirees who want to age in dignity in the home they’ve poured so much into, but who are being driven out by rising rents; families who are squeezing extra generations into their home to hold onto it.
Despite significant progress in recent years by the legislature, local governments, housing advocates, and builders, years of zoning and other laws that disincentivized building all but single-family homes and a lack of state investment in developing affordable housing left us with a housing shortage that has driven up the costs across the board.
2. How will you use your office to advance solutions that address our affordable housing crisis? Please be specific.
In Congress, I hope to expand on our work in Washington State to address the affordable housing crisis and champion solutions that ensure everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.
This includes supporting initiatives that incentivize the construction of affordable housing, particularly in areas facing the greatest housing shortages. I will work to streamline regulatory processes and increase funding for low-income housing tax credits to encourage private developers to invest in affordable housing projects, including mixed-income and mixed-zoning projects that support the growth of economically diverse communities.
Secondly, I am committed to preserving existing affordable housing stock. This involves strengthening tenant protections and advocating for policies that prevent the displacement of vulnerable communities due to rising rents or gentrification. I also believe we should explore providing tax credits for economically vulnerable renters.
I will prioritize expanding rental assistance programs like the Housing Choice Voucher program. This critical program supports low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, helping them afford housing in the private market. I will work to increase voucher funding, streamline administrative processes to reduce waitlists, and ensure timely access to assistance.
Additionally, I recognize the importance of investing in tribal housing. Tribal communities face unique challenges in accessing affordable housing. I will advocate for increased federal investment in housing programs tailored to meet the needs of Native American tribes in Washington state.
Finally, I will support initiatives to provide down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. Homeownership remains a cornerstone of financial stability and wealth-building for many families. I will work to expand access to programs that help individuals and families achieve homeownership, particularly those from underserved communities.
3. What are the challenges you will face when making affordable housing policy decisions, and how will you overcome those challenges?
In the State Senate, I represent a diverse district that encompasses urban, suburban, and rural areas, all with unique housing needs and challenges. The 6th Congressional District is large, with diverse communities that won’t benefit from a one-size-fits-all housing policy.
What works in Tacoma won’t necessarily benefit Bainbridge or the Quinault Nation or the Squaxin Island Tribe. Our housing challenges require flexibility and tailored solutions. I benefit from my deep ties to this district and its people. I was born here and grew up here, and my wife and I have made our life here. I understand the needs of our district and will work to engage stakeholders early and often, including community leaders, advocacy groups, and housing experts, so we can develop policies that reflect the diverse needs of Washington State and the 6th district.
Further, I have been lucky to work in the legislature with people on both sides of the aisle who are committed to addressing our state’s affordable housing crisis. I know that may be harder to accomplish in DC, but I am a bipartisan bridge-builder–first in the State Senate and hopefully next in Congress.
As a legislator, I am committed to finding common-sense, bipartisan solutions to our state’s biggest challenges. The affordable housing crisis is hurting red areas just as much as blue, and I will look for partners, regardless of party or ideology, to seek solutions that benefit our districts.
4. What are the challenges you will face when making affordable housing policy decisions and how will you overcome those challenges?
No response provided.
Washington State House of Representatives, Position 1, Legislative District 23
No questionnaire response returned.
1. Washington state has an affordable housing crisis. What do you believe contributes to this crisis and why?
The affordable housing crisis is caused by several factors. One of the biggest drivers is lack of available homes which allows developers and landlords to charge more. In addition, there is a lack of subsidized housing programs for people who lack the ability to pay market prices. This could be due to the fact they have a disability, are a senior, a domestic violence survivor, or just unable to find a better paying job. These conditions are driving people into homelessness, and leaving our most vulnerable populations without the dignity they deserve.
2. Think about the office you will hold if elected. What is the role of that office in addressing the affordable housing crisis?
As a Washington State Representative I have the honor and privilege of advocating for both state level policies and budget investments to tackle affordable housing. We make decisions on the extension or contraction of local control in zoning laws, the laws governing landlords ability to charge rent, fees, or deposits; and the amount of money to allocate to our Housing Trust Fund. Given my own lived experiences with homelessness, the use of subsidized housing as a teen mother, and the struggle to find an affordable house to buy; I advocate fiercely for people with similar struggles through my office.
3. How will you use your office to advance solutions that address our affordable housing crisis? Please be specific.
I will continue to co-sponsor and organize support for rent stabalization. I will continue to advocate for local capital budget investments towards affordable housing solutions for youth experiencing homelessness, seniors, people with disabilities, people of low-income backgrounds and more. I will continue to support reasonable protections for renters, including our seniors who live in assisted living, adult family homes or skilled nursing facilities.
4. What are the challenges you will face when making affordable housing policy decisions and how will you overcome those challenges?
The challenges I face are garnering enough support to pass rent stabalization and zoning regulations that incentivize multi-family homes because the opposition is well organized and resourced. We live in a capitalistic society and those who have the greatest need for affordable housing lack the power and resources to influence decision-makers. I’m working hard to get re-elected and elect other progressive champions like Brynn Felix so we can build a cadre of legislators across Washington that truly believe every person deserves to be in safe and affordable housing depending on their income level.
Washington State House of Representatives, Position 2, Legislative District 23
No questionnaire response returned.
1. Washington state has an affordable housing crisis. What do you believe contributes to this crisis and why?
Washington faces an affordable housing crisis because we need more housing at every income level, in every county across the state. Unfortunately, there are several factors contributing:
- Restrictive zoning preferences market-rate single family homes.
- Supply chain issues add to rising costs of construction materials.
- Lack of skilled tradespeople drives up construction costs.
- Permitting delays create financial costs that are passed onto consumers and taxpayers.
- Lack of coherent policy obstructs effective collaboration between municipal, county, state, and federal efforts.
These challenging market forces and policy failures have hampered the adoption of Transit-Oriented Development initiatives and the multifamily housing units that are vital to solving the affordable housing crisis in every corner of Washington.
2. Think about the office you will hold if elected. What is the role of that office in addressing the affordable housing crisis?
I believe housing is a human right. As your State Rep, I’m working to craft laws and policies that encourage the construction of affordable housing while investing $127 million in the Housing Trust Fund to ensure community organizations, nonprofits, and working families have the resources to bridge the housing gap.
As your State Rep, I serve on the House Transportation Committee and am honored to support investments in local infrastructure and public transit — including $80 million to Fix our Ferries, $4 million for Kitsap Transit, and $5.9 million for “Safe Routes to School” — that will help more neighbors reliably access work, school, groceries, childcare, and healthcare.
3. How will you use your office to advance solutions that address our affordable housing crisis? Please be specific.
Investments in public transit create new community connections and opportunities for affordable housing development. As a lifelong public transit rider, I believe in the power of transit to unlock opportunity and be a driver for equitable change. Public transit enables neighbors to access good jobs, compassionate childcare, better healthcare, and a safe place to call home.
My work as State Rep has focused on investing for more reliable ferry service, more frequent bus service, and “Safe Routes to Schools” so more kids, parents, and families are healthy and happy. I am passionate about passing rent stabilization and anti-discrimination legislation. I advocate for more housing at each level of the continuum so we can better serve every neighbor including those challenged by mental illness and addiction and job insecurity and discrimination.
I’m proud to lead investments for safe, walkable, bikeable communities where every neighbor can thrive. I advocate for smart density and transit-oriented development that honors our neighbors and our earth. As the House Democrats Assistant Whip, I rallied votes for rent stabilization to protect renters and I’m committed to advancing compassionate policies that help our most vulnerable neighbors.
4. What are the challenges you will face when making affordable housing policy decisions and how will you overcome those challenges?
Several of the reforms I’ve described will face concentrated opposition from special interest groups including NIMBY’s who oppose new construction, landlord associations, and freight companies who wish for more highway dollars and fewer public transit investments.
In the legislature, I pride myself on convening relevant stakeholders to hear diverse perspectives and then crafting policies and budgets that can solve the challenge at hand.
Overcoming challenges requires strong teamwork and I am honored to work with great colleagues in Olympia and in Kitsap. I am proudly endorsed by The Suquamish Tribe and The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Lt. Governor Denny Heck, former Senator Phil Rockefeller, Senator Drew Hansen, Kitsap PUD Commissioner Debra Lester, all 4 Kitsap firefighter unions, 6 Bainbridge City Councilmembers — Joe Deets, Ashley Mathews, Leslie Schneider, Kirsten Hytopoulos, Jon Quitslund, Clarence Moriwaki — and 46 Democratic State Representatives.
Washington State Senate, Legislative District 23
No questionnaire response returned.
No questionnaire response returned.
Kitsap County Commission, Position 1
No questionnaire response submitted.
Kitsap County Commission, Position 2
No questionnaire response returned.
No questionnaire response returned.