Charts and Graphs: More Taxes Mean Higher Rents

Last week I participated in an interview of a landlord about whether it’s a good idea to have a renter’s commission. Tim Burgess is carrying Councilmember Sawant’s water again and proposing just such a thing, a group of renters empowered with City staff and funding to find more and more well intentioned rules to help […]

Part 3. The Price of Love: Housing, Economics, Politics, Money, and Being Loved

When I was in elementary school I took some pleasure in telling other kids on the playground that Santa Claus didn’t exist. I remember the look on their faces, the fear and disappointment. Then I saw the furrowing brow and anger. They knew Santa was a hoax. But as long as believing in him and colluding […]

Part 2: How Price Becomes Affordability and People Become Units

  This is a second of what will be three posts about the current state of the debate in housing in Seattle. I may add one more about where things might go and if there is any hope we can rescue the debate and policy direction. And I lied. The third post is going to […]