Plenty of these are short of specifics? Let's try all of them are short on specifics. And I'd go further to say that without a fleshed out plan it's nothing more than pandering to the current political zeitgeist, only to be put on the shelve when the next big thing comes along.

Sorry, but the problems we have in Seattle when it comes to affordability have been ongoing for over a decade. There are not real solutions that will make a significant dent in the crisis on the horizon.

No promises that neighborhoods will not be trashed by developers and that existing communities of color, seniors, low income, LGBTQ, etc will not be pushed out. It's a grand bargain to exchange livability, in exchange for development, with the hope that developers will make good on their promise to build out affordable units. Non-profits cut a deal with corporations, but left out the voters. This is not play well for these very disconnected amateurs.

I thought Sawant was supposed to be ineffective, divisive, and unable to work with anyone because of her radical socialist agenda.

THERE ARE NO "INCUMBENTS" IN CITY COUNCIL RACES THIS YEAR!!!

Too many long shots in this field to make this a serious proposal.

@4 Sawant and her people make grand promises to people for short term political gains, then toss them asunder when something better comes along, or when they get their political objectives met. One thing she has not caught onto is the diminishing returns on this habit in a very cozy city, politics wise. It may come crashing down on her in November. The fact that the others hitched their wagons onto her cart shows what novices they are, with Grant leading the pack.

Ok but who will upzone all block with 4 blocks of a light rail station to 40-100 story (each floor of parking costs you 3 floors)?

Odd how the candidates funded by the big developers and chamber of commerce didn't sign on.

It's a clear sign that just like it was suspected after the big I.E money came out that Pamela Banks and Rob Johnson are clearly in the back pockets of the developers.

Most of those provisions are just common sense the right thing to do and everyone should sign them. Don't let landlords illegally keep tenants deposits...just a little too progressive for Downtown Rob Johnson.

@10, What IE money was given to Banks? Here's a link to the report of the candidates who have received money: http://www2.seattle.gov/ethics/sumreps/s…

Banks isn't on the list on candidates who have received IE money. But guess who is? Jon Grant and Kshama Sawant. I guess that means that they are both as corrupt as Downtown Rob Johnson.

The reason that other candidates haven't signed onto the plan is because they realize that it is garbage. It's a cheap political stunt meant to deceive voters and not actually do anything to help the underlying problem of housing affordability. Ask anyone who has actually developed affordable housing in Seattle and they'll tell you that both Jon Grant and his plan are a joke. Completely divorced from reality. There's a reason why the vast majority of affordable housing providers (the people who live and breathe this stuff and who do good things rather than simply talk about it) have endorsed Jon Grant's competition. They understand that affordability is a serious issue and that Jon Grant is not a serious person.

Reading the bios on all the candidates running for city council I can promise you this. No matter who wins in 10 years Seattle will be even more unaffordable with even fewer living spaces that median or below median income earners can afford.

The proposals are literally no better than standing in front of a 50,000 acre forest fire, taking a piss on it and saying you saved the day.

Compared to what? The HALA recommendations fall far short of funding the 20,000 affordable units in the Mayor's goal. Four of the HALA recommendations are to ask the Legislature for favors for Seattle, which rhey are loathe to do, including expanding the State Housing Trust Fund (Seattle's pro rata share of $6.2 M won't go far); raising the Real Estate Excise Tax; expandinf the MFTE and creating a Housing Preservation Tax Exemption. Instead, Jon Grant and Kshama Sawant are saying, look to yourselves. The council can vote a $500 million bond fund to purchase land, buy older buildings, preserve private buildings and build new ones. A road linkage fee is also very specific, as is lowering the tarketed income groyp tp 0 to 50% of area median income, ratherthan the HALA's 80%. What's not specific about these?

That's right people we can tax our way to affordable housing. We raise the taxes, the costs go up, and then the houses will be more affordable. Wait what?