@satpal Your words: “All investors seek to maximum [sic] ROI at any cost and our national priorities support this. Helping one income bracket will hurt another income bracket. Our economy offer [sic] opportunties only to the people with existing capital to multiply it.”

With Democrats like you, who needs Republicans? Can you hear yourself? 

When our community *invests* in policies, such as inclusionary zoning, to increase the supply of housing priced within reach of those earning 50-120% of the Area Median Income (AMI), we expect the return on investment (ROI) to be fewer or close to zero unhoused Bellingham residents. Framing every investment ROI in terms of capital instead of public goods is how our country got into this mess. 

Adopting a “housing as a human right” policy is not a zero sum game, as you describe it: “Helping one income bracket will hurt another income bracket.” Ensuring that everyone’s needs can be met, whether that be through policies that subsidize ownership, provide transitional public housing, or forcing “people with existing capital” to accommodate and subsidize those without, benefits everyone in the community. A healthy, vibrant community takes care of its own and leaves no one behind. 

What we do not need is a county executive with a nihilistic vision who is willing to accept “the reality of income disparities” rather than fight like hell on behalf of the working class that keep this community running, but who have been treated as expendable by elected officials.