Neighborhood Housing
Housing discrimination in Seattle was a fact of life for way too long. After World War II numerous attempts were made to open housing to everyone. Mayor Bill Devin's City Unity Committee was formed in 1948 to address racial issues. But not until in April 1968, did the city council pass an open housing ordinance, making restrictive covenants illegal. New councilmembers provided the leadership then, including the city's first black councilmember, Sam Smith. Now middle-income people of all races are being excluded from home ownership in our city's neighborhoods. They are being priced out of Seattle's market. Will our city become an upper income ghetto where only the wealthy can buy and retain homes?
As a councilmember, I will author public policies that create more access for Seattleites to affordable housing without destroying the character of our existing, single family neighborhoods.
