“I believe in building a better future. I ask for your vote to continue that work.”
– Michael Lilliquist
Issues & Values
A Champion For Housing
I believe in affordable housing. I campaigned for the city’s housing levy, and voted to support new affordable housing projects in Bellingham – including new housing for seniors, for teens and young adults, for survivors of domestic violence, for women with children, and for low-income farmworkers. I also worked to change state law, to enable cities like Bellingham to waive building fees for qualified low-income housing projects. I personally spearheaded budget allocations that have funded tiny home villages and behavioral health outreach programs.
I believe we can reduce homelessness. That means I support the “housing first” model to offer support and re-integration of people experiencing homelessness. I support a greater range of shelter options, but I also know that shelter is not the full answer: People need housing they can afford. I believe we must address homelessness with long-term housing and services, and not perpetuate shelter living. We must embrace better ideas for trauma-informed shelters, commit more resources to rapid re-housing, and create purpose-built family housing as solutions for those overlooked and underserved by traditional shelters. To do this, earlier this year I helped lead the way to secure a $5 million expansion of annual funding to get people into housing and keep families together.
Re-Imagining Public Safety
I believe that safety and justice go hand-in-hand. That means every person must be respected and protected, regardless of documentation or ethnic background.
Everyone should feel safe to call 9-1-1 for help. That is why I was among those elected leaders that successfully pushed for creation a new crisis response program, to send mental health professionals to calls for help, when police or EMS is not appropriate. We have relied on law enforcement to handle problems for which they are not trained, and for which law enforcement is not the right response. I also support creation of a countywide Racial Equity Commission.
Supporting Workers, Jobs, & Unions
I believe every deserves an opportunity to prosper. I am proud to be endorsed once again by Unions, in recognition of our collaborate work together. For example, with myself as lead sponsor, the City of Bellingham now has a trades apprenticeship requirement for public works projects to train skilled workers.
The pandemic has reinforced the importance of Internet access for work, school, and home. I have been leading the way to public fiber and municipal broadband, spearheading the creation of the Broadband Advisory Workgroup that is reaching out to the Port and PUD and School district to maximize our opportunities.
Early in the pandemic I initiated discussion of how the City should help businesses stay open to keep people working, and the Whatcom ReStart program was the result. Hundreds of businesses and thousands of people benefitted from this direct and simple aid, with special support for childcare for working families.