Ending Homelessness with Dignity, Accountability, and Real Solutions
My Commitment
Homelessness is one of the greatest challenges facing our community. Solving it requires more than temporary shelter — it demands compassion and accountability, treatment and opportunity, investments and results.
In Federal Way, we can — and must — be a city that believes in lifting people up while protecting the quality of life for every resident. Housing, health care, and job training must work together to break the cycle of homelessness.
As your Councilmember, I’ll lead with a balanced, common-sense approach rooted in Democratic values of dignity, opportunity, and community — with a firm commitment to results, responsibility, and public safety.
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Housing + Services, Not Just Housing: Expand permanent supportive and transitional housing options — tied directly to engagement in mental health treatment, substance use recovery, case management, or workforce development.
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Encampments are not a solution for housing. It is illegal for anyone to trespass or break into private property, and large encampments quickly become unsanitary and dangerous — not just for surrounding neighborhoods, but for the vulnerable individuals living there. We’ve seen fires, violence, and tragic outcomes that threaten lives and strain public safety resources.
As long as I serve as your Councilmember, I will be absolutely aggressive in encouraging every encampment to be cleared — and in connecting individuals with shelter, treatment, and a path off the streets.
Federal Way deserves a compassionate and common-sense approach that protects everyone’s safety and dignity.
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Treatment Comes First: Invest in mobile mental health and addiction recovery teams that meet people where they are — at encampments, shelters, and on the streets — to connect them immediately with services.
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Workforce Reentry and Independence: Expand partnerships with unions, apprenticeship programs, job training centers, and local businesses to create pathways back to work, stability, and independence.
Support individuals exiting homelessness by connecting them to skills training, paid apprenticeships, and employment opportunities — because a good job is the foundation for a fresh start.
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Prevention is the Best Investment: Support rental assistance, eviction prevention, utility help, and family stabilization programs — especially for working families, seniors, and youth aging out of foster care.
- Address Unsafe Panhandling and Connect People to Help: Support clear city policies to discourage aggressive and unsafe panhandling — especially near intersections, medians, and business or storefront properties.
Instead of allowing dangerous behavior that puts both individuals and drivers at risk, I will advocate for stronger outreach efforts that offer panhandlers immediate connection to shelter, treatment, and job resources.
Federal Way must be a city where public spaces are safe and where help is always available for those willing to accept it.
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Accountability and Transparency: Use tax dollars wisely by funding programs that deliver measurable results. I’ll push for annual public reporting on our progress — and make data-driven adjustments when needed.
- Regional Collaboration: Homelessness doesn't stop at our city borders. I’ll advocate for stronger collaboration with South King County cities, King County, and the State to build a true safety net — especially for mental health care and addiction recovery.
Federal Way must be a city where compassion is never mistaken for complacency — and where common sense, fairness, and dignity guide our decisions.
We can lift people out of homelessness while ensuring public trust, demanding results, and strengthening the future of our community.
With your support, we can make Federal Way safer, stronger, and more hopeful for every family and every neighbor.