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 May 9, 2025
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In 1968, the United States Fair Housing Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This historic legislation addressed unfair housing practices that had impacted American families for generations and created a wealth gap.
I spoke about the 1968 Fair Housing Act this week to remind us that we must make sure our current practices protect families from discrimination in housing.
Without governmental policies and enforcement, we run the risk of returning to a time when redlining was a federally sanctioned form of segregation that was also used by many banks and loan institutions. Black Americans were allowed loans to purchase homes only in “redlined” areas and white Americans were free to take out loans to buy homes anywhere. Some neighborhoods included private covenants that did not allow non-white neighbors.
Segregating neighborhoods created differences in wealth over time. Property values in redlined areas were lower than in all-white neighborhoods which contributed to some American families having less wealth to pass from one generation to the next and others having more family wealth. This was due to the redlining system and not due to individual property owners.
The Fair Housing Act not only protects Americans from discrimination in the sale, rental or financing of housing based on race, but also from discrimination based on religious affiliation, familial status, sex, and disability.
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The Housing, Health and Human Services (HHH) committee was briefed on Fair Housing Policies.
Click on the image above to see CM Quinn’s comments.
To watch the whole May 6 Health, Housing, and Human Services Committee meeting, please click here.
The goal of the D5 e-news is to share information about council business, upcoming community events, access to services, opportunities, and ways for us to build an even better King County.
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On Monday, I met with my colleague Councilmember Jorge Baron (D4). I also attended the Sound Transit South King Subarea briefing where we discussed the Environmental Multiple Award Task Order Contract, the Bus Base North Contract, Enterprise Resource Planning, and Enterprise Asset Management Systems program. My staff and I received an in-depth briefing about proposed changes to the King County Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP).
On Tuesday, the Housing, Health and Human Services (HHH) committee received briefings on changes in federal funding, fair housing policies, prevention of wage theft, and childcare facility permitting.
CM Quinn speaks at press conference about legislation he co-sponsored
to strengthen county labor practices and prioritize local businesses.
Midday, I spoke at a press conference regarding legislation to strengthen county labor practices.
I co-sponsored legislation which ensures that King County will prioritize local businesses through community workforce agreements and project labor agreements.
This legislation supports fair pay and creates a level playing field for local entrepreneurs. It also prioritizes job opportunities from lower income zip codes – to help boost the economy in areas that need it. District 5 includes some of these zip codes.
The King County Sexual Assault Resource Center received the Council’s proclamation of April
as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The Council also voted to officially appoint a new King County Executive. On April 15, the King County Council voted to make Deputy Executive Shannon Braddock the Acting King County Executive. Today, the Council voted for her official appointment.
King County Executive Shannon Braddock
At the Council meeting, Shannon commented on her 200 Day plan. You can see more details here.
Newly appointed Executive Braddock will serve until November 25, 2025 when the election is certified. She will not be a candidate for Executive.
To watch the Council meeting in its entirety, click here.
On Wednesday, my staff and I worked our first full day at our District Office in Kent. From there I participated in the Flood District Executive Committee meeting where we discussed adopting staffing and personnel policies as well as adopting a revised 2025 budget.
On Thursday, the D5 team prepared for the upcoming week.
On Friday, I attended the Rainier Scholars 25th anniversary event and had the opportunity to celebrate Laborer’s International Union of North America Local 242’s opening of their new construction trades training facility!
De’Sean Quinn
King County Councilmember, District 5
Des Moines, Kent, Normandy Park, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila
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King County Assessor is available to assist
This week we heard from Sandi from Tukwila with a question about how to access property tax exemptions for seniors.
The State of Washington has given King County a powerful tool to help seniors remain in their homes. If you are 61 years old, own your home, and make less than $84,000 a year you can apply for an exemption that can potentially save you thousands of dollars on your property taxes.
The King County Assessor’s office reviews applications for exemptions which can be made via paper application or online here: Senior Exemption Portal. The Assessor strongly encourages online applications because paper applications take far more time and staff resources to process, causing backlogs in the system.
If you need help with an application, you can call the King County Assessor at 206-296-3920 to speak with a staff member who can walk you through the process. For information about the exemption program, please click here.
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Happy Mother’s Day! King County Metro Transit invited employees to create a mural honoring their moms who immigrated to the United States. Please click on the image above to see a video about the mural project
Have you found a stray animal that you're not sure what to do with?
Here are a few simple steps you can take to help get the animal returned to its owner.
Check for ID
If you can safely do so, check to see if the animal has a license or identification tag. Owners will often put a phone number directly on the tag or collar.
If the pet is wearing a Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) license tag, call the number on the tag (206-296-2712) and have the six-digit license number available. When you call, give the license number to our staff, or enter the number when prompted by the automated system. You will be given the pet owner's phone number so you can contact them directly to return their pet.
If the animal is not aggressive and you would like to keep it in your home until its owner is located, click the Report a Found Pet button above. Please provide as much information as you can in your report, including a picture of the animal if possible. If you are unable to complete a Found Pet Report online, call us at 206-296-7387. You may also bring the animal to a vet clinic or the Pet Adoption Center in Kent where you can have the animal scanned for a microchip ID.
If you are unable to keep the animal in your home, bring it to the Pet Adoption Center in Kent or your local animal shelter. Many owners will check these locations.
Need extra help? Call animal control
For your safety, do not attempt to approach an aggressive and/or scared animal. If you can safely contain the lost animal in your yard, your garage, or a kennel, please call us at 206-296-7387 and an animal control officer will pick the animal up. Animal control officer hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. seven days a week.
King County Council District 5 – home of great moms!
Thank you for reading our fourteenth edition of our e-news. Please feel free to contact us and share information you have about your city or neighborhood at desean.quinn@kingcounty.gov or 206 477-1005.
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De'Sean Quinn (he/him/his)
King County Councilmember, District 5
(206) 477-1005 Send me an email
www.kingcounty.gov/quinn |
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