Kerri Burnside is challenging incumbent Skip Williams to represent Ward 4. Burnside is the president of the Silver Beach Neighborhood Association, a member of the Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee, and an organizer with Bellingham Tenants Union. As a renter who has seen her own housing costs more than double over the last decade, Burnside is intently focused on the issue of housing affordability in Bellingham.
In our interview, Burnside presented plans specifically geared to protect renters and tenants in Bellingham. She is a fierce advocate for tenant protections, including the removal of junk fees, relocation assistance, and rent control. After previously owning a home and becoming a renter herself, she is closely attuned to the challenges facing tenants. This year, she was very active volunteering in support of the successful rent stabilization legislation in Olympia.
Burnside expressed frustration with the current council's lack of progress on affordable housing. In particular, she criticized what she perceives as a lack of enforcement regarding the junk fee ordinance. Overall, she demonstrated a detailed understanding of state and local tenant laws and housing policies. Beyond housing, Burnside emphasized the need to create safer streets and improve emergency response times in underserved areas.
While we appreciate her inclusive advocacy for improving rental conditions and the cost of living, we are concerned that her proposals are too narrowly focused to address Bellingham's severe housing shortage. She is supportive of cooperative and community housing, but we were hoping to hear more about her plans to build significantly more homes throughout the city.
Kerri Burnside is a progressive candidate who is actively involved in improving housing conditions in Bellingham. As a renter, she would offer an important perspective that is currently underrepresented on the council. However, we lean towards re-electing Skip Williams to continue pushing forward the council's important work to increase the housing supply and reduce the cost of living in Bellingham.
Kerri Burnside is challenging incumbent Skip Williams to represent Ward 4. Burnside is the president of the Silver Beach Neighborhood Association, a member of the Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee, and an organizer with Bellingham Tenants Union. As a renter who has seen her own housing costs more than double over the last decade, Burnside is intently focused on the issue of housing affordability in Bellingham.
In our interview, Burnside presented plans specifically geared to protect renters and tenants in Bellingham. She is a fierce advocate for tenant protections, including the removal of junk fees, relocation assistance, and rent control. After previously owning a home and becoming a renter herself, she is closely attuned to the challenges facing tenants. This year, she was very active volunteering in support of the successful rent stabilization legislation in Olympia.
Burnside expressed frustration with the current council's lack of progress on affordable housing. In particular, she criticized what she perceives as a lack of enforcement regarding the junk fee ordinance. Overall, she demonstrated a detailed understanding of state and local tenant laws and housing policies. Beyond housing, Burnside emphasized the need to create safer streets and improve emergency response times in underserved areas.
While we appreciate her inclusive advocacy for improving rental conditions and the cost of living, we are concerned that her proposals are too narrowly focused to address Bellingham's severe housing shortage. She is supportive of cooperative and community housing, but we were hoping to hear more about her plans to build significantly more homes throughout the city.
Kerri Burnside is a progressive candidate who is actively involved in improving housing conditions in Bellingham. As a renter, she would offer an important perspective that is currently underrepresented on the council. However, we lean towards re-electing Skip Williams to continue pushing forward the council's important work to increase the housing supply and reduce the cost of living in Bellingham.