Housing & Growth: Building a Livable Future
Issaquah’s growth must be guided with care. Rising housing costs have made it difficult for many residents - including working families, teachers, firefighters, and young professionals - to find homes they can afford. I know these struggles firsthand. For more than 16 years, I rented before finally achieving homeownership through ARCH – A Regional Coalition for Housing. That journey fuels my commitment to expanding affordable housing options for all Issaquah residents.
As a member of the Planning Policy Commission, I work directly with developers, neighbors, and stakeholders to shape how our city grows. Through the Central Issaquah Plan and the upcoming light rail connection, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build wisely - creating diverse housing choices while protecting the character that makes Issaquah unique.
I am proud to be endorsed by the Seattle King County Realtors and the Eastside Business Alliance, and to be in active conversations with several affordable housing advocacy groups. These endorsements reflect broad support from both those who understand the housing market and those who drive our local economy. Together, they strengthen my commitment to policies that balance affordability with economic vitality - because housing and business growth must go hand in hand.
Our Comprehensive Plan sets a target of 3,500 additional housing units by 2044, focused on affordability for households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI). By 2050, Issaquah is projected to grow by 25,620 housing unitsand add 17.8 million square feet of commercial space. To meet this demand, I support:
Expanding housing supply across all income levels to stabilize rents and provide workforce housing.
Public-private partnerships that bring innovative housing projects forward.
Regional cooperation to ensure growth is balanced and sustainable.
Removing unnecessary regulatory barriers that slow down construction or make housing more expensive.
Preserving neighborhood character and our environment as we grow.
Housing is foundational to community cohesion. It allows people who work here - our teachers, first responders, and service workers - to live here. As your Councilmember, I will fight for policies that balance affordability with thoughtful growth, ensuring Issaquah remains a welcoming, livable city for generations to come.