• Forgive the long answer, but I think there are multiple things to consider. My ideas are towards the bottom:

    Current State of Market-Rate Housing: I think Anacortes is a prime example of supply and demand. Given our geographic constraints of being an island, as well as 30% of our city being the ACFL (2,950 acres of ACFL out of 9,939 acres total) we have a limited supply of land. This is a beautiful place and the demand to live here is high. Low supply and high demand result in increased prices. The average sales price in Anacortes is approx. $730K and the average two-bedroom rental is over $2,000/month.

    Current state of Affordable Housing: HUD and WA State define Affordable Housing as housing (including utilities) that does not exceed 30% of the household’s monthly income.  There are two main Affordable Housing suppliers in Anacortes – the Anacortes Family Center and the Anacortes Housing Authority. In 2020, Anacortes residents approved a 0.10% additional sales tax that is designated to Affordable Housing. Because of the cost of land and construction, developing Affordable Housing is a challenge in Anacortes.

    Projected Growth: Skagit County is required to comply with WA State’s Growth Management Act, and as such, all cities within Skagit County are also required to plan for growth. If Anacortes does not plan for this, the state can come in under the GMA and start mandating what type and where housing will be built. In the proposed update to the Anacortes Comprehensive Plan, which looks out the next 20 years, Anacortes has been allocated ~17% of Skagit County’s projected growth, which is approx. 5,000 people or 2,900 households. The Anacortes Comprehensive Plan is saying that 67% of those households will be making less than 80% of area median income so there will be a need for lower-cost market rate housing and Affordable Housing.

    My Ideas:

    1)    I want to see the Anacortes Housing Authority increase their resource education for those looking for ways to secure housing. Their website currently provides very little information of the various programs available for low-income households, as well as the programs that property owners may want to opt into to rent their property. An example of what this could look like is the NV Rural Housing Authority (https://nvrural.org)

    2) I want to explore what King County has done in terms of expanding the options of what lodging tax dollars can be used for to include affordable workforce housing (defined as less than or equal to 80% AMI). Many lodging and small businesses in town have repeatedly said that they have difficulty operating their business because there are limited options for employees to live closer to work.

    3) I want to explore the idea of granting some type of property assessed value credit or freeze for people who build an ADU and rent it for a below-market rate. There is a lot to be flushed out with this idea, but I think it is worth exploring.

    4) The potential development at Sharpe’s Corner needs to stay on the radar. While it may not have been the cure-all people were looking for, it is land that the City already owns and therefore already clears one of the biggest hurdles of housing, which is land cost.

  • The working waterfront is not only a part of Anacortes history, but it is also a significant driver of our local economy. The jobs and revenue generated from businesses that work on the waterfront, and from the businesses that support those waterfront businesses, are very impactful to our City.

  • I have chosen to not pursue endorsements in this election and I don’t see that as a weakness - I see it as independence.

    Strong leadership requires clear judgment. I evaluate issues and ideas based on our community’s needs and fiscal responsibility, not on the influence of specific interests.

  • I’ve been very intentional about fundraising and have not done widespread solicitation because I know many people are feeling stretched in this economy.

    Some of the donations I’ve received are from longtime friends, colleagues, and family—many of whom live outside Anacortes—who believe in my ability to lead responsibly and wanted to support me in that effort.

    All contribution information can be found at the WA State Public Disclosure Commission: www.pdc.wa.gov