Seattle's Newly Elected Councilmember Jenks Wants to Ease Housing Rules
SEATTLE — Nilu Jenks, the newly elected Seattle City Council member for District 5, says she will push to dismantle zoning restrictions, speed up permitting and reform the city's Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program to address housing shortages and high prices.
Jenks, a progressive urban-planning advocate, defeated moderate candidate Julia Kang in Seattle's only City Council election this year to win the District 5 seat. Her platform centered on public safety, affordability and city revenue, arguing that increasing housing supply will bring down rents and home prices. She was endorsed by state Rep. Shaun Scott, among others.
According to the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, the city has received only 509 applications for new high-density housing units so far in 2026, reflecting sluggish development activity. The council is expected to take up zoning reform and permitting changes in the new term.
Source: Reason
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 西雅图天际线与雷尼尔山（Wikimedia Commons，CC BY-SA 4.0）
