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-I am the candidate with the experience
to offer bold new approaches
to our community's more urgent challenges --
homelessness and lack of
affordable housing,
limited career paths for our youth,
and increasing negative impacts
of climate change.
I've worked at the city of Seattle
for over a decade and am proud
to have been the energy behind
the creation of the first-ever
Environmental Justice Program
at Seattle City Light.
I have worked directly with communities
to advocate for equity and justice.
I intend to build on that experience
as the city council member
to foster transparency,
equity, and cultural accessibility
across city government.
This starts with facing head on
one of our city's most visible challenges --
our homelessness crisis.
Over the past several months,
I, along with my husband
and two young children,
have volunteered at Camp Second Chance.
For our family, this has been
a transformative experience
to better know our neighbors
facing the challenges of life
on the street.
We need to provide more support for those
programs that work and continue to build
upon those successes,
but we also need to do more to protect
our existing affordable housing units
and meet the city's commitment
to build 6,000 new, low-income,
and affordable housing units.
We will work with regional partners,
private businesses, and nonprofits
to consider policies and funding
while working to stop the pressures
of gentrification and displacement
so that all residents can thrive in place.
I have been blessed to have the means
to own a home in Seattle
and understand firsthand the challenges
and security that come with home ownership.
We must provide stronger protections
for our renters so they don't end up homeless.
We can't displace people as quickly
as we build affordable housing.
Lastly, we know that we face
a climate crisis.
I believe it is time to call for
a Seattle Green New Deal.
This framework can serve as a catalyst
to fast track the work underway
at the city's climate action plan,
creating jobs, opportunities,
and career pathways for our youth
to become the next generation
of environmental and clean-energy workers.
I'd be honored to have your vote.
My name is Chris Peguero.