Affordable Housing Week 2026
 Click on the photo above to see the full week's schedule. (From left: Burien Deputy Mayor Hugo Garcia, Bothell Mayor Mason Thompson, Patience Malaba, CM Mosqueda, Seattle CM Dionne Foster, and Bellevue CM Vishal Bhargava.)
This week is Affordable Housing Week, and I kicked it off by joining a panel with fellow elected officials from Seattle, Burien, Bothell, and Bellevue on a panel moderated by Patience Malaba of the Housing Development Consortium, where we talked about the local actions we can take to address housing affordability in our region. The affordable housing crisis is touching every corner of King County, from our cities to unincorporated communities like White Center, Vashon, and Skyway. High housing costs aren’t just pushing families out of Seattle – they’re pushing families out of Washington State altogether: a Seattle Public Schools study showed that of families with children who have left the city, a staggering 67% have moved out of Washington state entirely because of the cost of housing. We have built winning coalitions before – from the Seattle Housing Levy to JumpStart Seattle to our surplus lands policy, and we know that our community cares deeply about affordable housing. With skyrocketing construction costs, whiplashing tariffs, and the federal government pulling back on affordable housing funding we have relied on for decades, we have to act locally, with new revenue and a long-term plan to build at the scale our communities need and deserve.
Housing First Partners Conference 2026
 Last week I had the honor of attending the Housing First Partners Conference 2026 in San Francisco, where I co–presented a panel with Representative Nicole Macri on "Building Housing & the Political Momentum to Meet the Moment," and also joined an incredible panel of providers to discuss the critical role of the workers in housing our most vulnerable neighbors. Addressing homelessness is not just about four walls and a door – it’s about the healthcare and supportive services needed to keep people safe and housed. One moment that has stayed with me came from a breakout session, is when a funder from Indianapolis, Shaquana Nelson, raised her hand and said she didn't have a question, she had a comment. She wanted to commend every service provider in that room for what they do on the frontlines every single day to provide the services and care needed to keep folks housed. The conference put a human face on the institutions and systems we are all trying to improve and defend from federal attacks.
It takes people to care for people, and many are doing this work without the pay and support needed to stay healthy and housed themselves. That is not right, and it’s up to us – government – to solve. The frontline workers who have built the trust and relationships that allow someone to say yes to housing have earned a living wage that lets them actually live in the communities they serve. In King County we've made real progress on Wage Stability Grants and Inflation Rate Adjustment Policies, but we have more to do – because when we invest in the workforce, we reduce turnover, maintain relationships, and keep people housed. Continuity of care must mean continuity of the workforce, and that requires the political will, revenue, and shared values to make it happen.
Asian American and Native Hawaiian/
Pacific Islander Heritage Month
 This month, Council proudly proclaimed May 2026 as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month – a celebration of communities that have called the Pacific Northwest home for generations and contributed to every facet of our county's culture, economy, and civic life. AA & NH/PI communities represent more than 49 ethnic groups, over 100 languages and dialects, and a vast array of religions, traditions, and cultures, and King County is home to one of the largest and fastest-growing AA & NH/PI populations in the nation. This month is both a celebration and a recommitment – to honoring the achievements and legacies of these communities, confronting the discrimination they have faced throughout history, and building a King County where every resident is truly seen, valued, and heard.
Sound Transit Townhall
 Last week, more than 200 transit advocates turned out at Seattle City Hall for a community forum where I joined King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, and Seattle Councilmember Dan Strauss to deliver a unified message: we are committed to delivering light rail as promised in ST3--to West Seattle and Ballard, the infill stations, Everett and Tacoma. As I have discussed here before, Sound Transit is facing a projected $34.5 billion funding shortfall over the next two decades, which means hard decisions as we balance a 20-year budget. But we will continue working to uncover savings and fighting for every tool possible to deliver on the commitments of ST3. What I am hearing from Sound Transit leadership is a "yes, and" – yes, they are committed to building the full system, and they know additional financing tools are needed, including expanding bonding authority and exploring a rental car tax. I will continue to advocate for momentum on projects so that design can uncover cost savings – like the upwards of $2.6 billion in savings Sound Transit has uncovered for West Seattle, and to using all the financial tools possible to keep projects moving. The Sound Transit Board is expected to vote on a proposed financial plan on May 28th.
Check out some of these news articles for more information:
Sound Transit board members renew commitment to light rail expansion, despite budget shortfall
Sound Transit plans to close $34.5B shortfall over 2 decades, reshaping light rail future
Seattle Sound Transit Leaders Rally to Avoid Light Rail Delays
Vashon Day of Exile
 On May 16th, community members gathered at Ober Park on Vashon Island to mark the 84th anniversary of the Day of Exile – the day 111 Japanese and Japanese American residents were forced from their homes and taken to wartime incarceration camps. The ceremony honored those families through the words of the memorial designed by Miya Sukune, which draws from a photograph of the Sakai family taken the very day they were forced to leave. Their story – and the story of the more than 120,000 people imprisoned across this country during World War II – is one this community has committed to remembering.
Remembering is an act of accountability. When we remember, we confront injustice of the past, and renew our commitment to right historic wrongs. The ongoing restoration of Mukai Farm & Garden ensures that this history remains visible, honored, and alive for generations to come. We are grateful to the Friends of Mukai and all who gathered to say, with clarity and conviction: we remember, we honor you, and we will not let this happen again.
Delbert Richardson Exhibit
Team Teresa with Delbert Richardson of the American History Traveling Museum: The Unspoken Truths. (From left: Chris Lampkin, Delbert Richardson, Kamilah Brown, CM Mosqueda, and Erin House.)
Team Teresa had the privilege of visiting "We STILL Dream A Future – Reclaiming Humanity," the American History Traveling Museum: The "Unspoken" Truths exhibit at King Street Station, created by community scholar, ethnomuseumologist, and friend of District 8, Delbert Richardson. The exhibition moves through four powerful sections – Mother Africa, U.S. Chattel Slavery, The Jim Crow Era, and Still We Rise – using authentic artifacts, storyboards, and storytelling to present American history through an Afrocentric lens, centering the voices, contributions, and resilience that the dominant historical narrative has too often erased. The exhibit closes with a section on Afrofuturism, a declaration that Black people are not only inheritors of history but architects of what comes next and it left me reflecting on the African proverb that anchors the whole experience: "Until the lion tells his tale, the hunt will always glorify the hunter." If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend visiting unspokentruths.org to learn more!
White Center Lighting Celebration
Click on the image above to learn more.
This Thursday, May 21st, I'm excited to join community members, local business leaders, and county partners at the Rat City Art Walk to celebrate a series of meaningful investments in White Center! Starting at 7:30pm at the corner of 16th Avenue SW and SW 98th Street, we'll mark the completion of several projects that the community has been pushing for – including decorative "Illuminate White Center" lights along 16th Avenue SW funded through King County's Participatory Budgeting program, a completed pedestrian safety and traffic calming project, a vibrant new rainbow sidewalk at the intersection of 16th and Roxbury. After remarks, we'll host a walking tour to see these improvements up close and hear about how county investments in the White Center Business Alliance are helping small businesses thrive in "Rat City." These are the kinds of community-driven, people-centered investments I'm proud to support – come celebrate with us!
Free Waterfront Shuttle Returns!
Click on the image above for more information, including the route map.
The free Waterfront Shuttle is back for this once-in-a-generation summer in downtown Seattle. Between May 21st and September 7th, from 10 am–10 pm, shuttles are scheduled to run every 10 minutes on soccer match days and 15 minutes on days without local soccer matches, connecting Seattle Center, the waterfront, Pioneer Square and Chinatown-International District.
Dockton Park Marina –
Community Perspective and Path Forward
 DNRP recently shared another update regarding Dockton Park. Parks’ Operations team has reviewed and investigated various concerns, and the latest status of improvements are outlined below:
-
Seasonal swing shift hiring: Seasonal hiring is now complete. King County Parks has hired two seasonals to cover a shift that works until dark Tue–Saturday to help with more presence at the Marina and also secure various other properties on Vashon.
-
Update on Restrooms: The shore restrooms needed additional work and are currently being updated (interior and exterior), and we will install timed locks as part of these updates which should be complete by mid–May. The dock restroom work is almost complete, and timed locks are being installed and will be programmed by mid–May.
-
Posting Overnight slip schedules: The King County Parks team is evaluating dinghy slip space and assignments. Parks Operations team is working with our internal scheduling team to post reserved/paid dinghy slips this year.
-
Derelict Vessel: We are working with King County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol to monitor the area more frequently during the boating season to help with a law enforcement presence and address any issues observed during their patrols. There does appear to be vessels not attached to our docks that are sitting in open water or attached to a State of Washington buoy. These buoys are State owned and managed. However, If we notice any issues, we will continue to notify the State of Washington’s derelict boat program so they can address them.
-
Dock cleaning: The Parks team has established a new process to ensure that the dock is cleaned every day with the help of some new equipment.
-
Posting larger rules signage: King County Parks will be updating the signage at Dockton, including new rules signage that will be installed this week. The Parks Team is also evaluating any other signs that may be needed or relocated.
-
Paint Upper lot: King County Parks will restripe/paint the upper parking lot (just outside the new gate) by summer 2026, for those who need to park a vehicle and trailer overnight when their boat is using paid moorage at the dock.
Additionally, State of Washington removed the various boats last month that were an issue at the docks. The trailer that was left illegally in the parking lot in April was towed recently as well. We were also able to construct and install a much–needed gate which will be locked at night by either park staff of KC Sheriff’s office and should greatly help with illegal parking after hours.
KCD Resilient Communities Bridge Grant
Click on the image above to learn more.
$1.5 million in funding available to help close gaps due to lost funding for natural resource projects.
Many groups working on our most critical conservation issues have seen drops in funding in recent years. These funding gaps reduce capacity to tackle systemic issues at the local level. KCD Resilient Community Bridge Grants are meant to help fill gaps in funding for natural resource conservation projects in historically marginalized communities.
Natural resource projects that improve and strengthen community resilience include sustainable agriculture, stormwater and flooding, riparian restoration, forest health, and wildfire resilience. Eligible projects include direct on–the–ground improvements, education and outreach, pilot or demonstration projects, and capacity–building efforts.
A virtual information session will be hosted Thurs. May 21st at 11am. Applications must be submitted online through KCD’s grant portal by Wed. June 17th at 5pm.
Learn more and apply at https://kingcd.org/resilient–communities–bridge–grant
Filipinos’ Lasting Legacy on Washington’s Waterfront
King County Metro is hosting a new exhibit highlighting Filipinos’ lasting legacy on Washington’s waterfront, open now through the end of May at King County’s Water Taxi terminal (Pier 50) in Seattle.
Click on the image above to learn more.
“Filipinos and Washington’s Waterfront” uncovers personal stories that have long gone untold–stories of cannery workers, longshoremen, Navy sailors, faith leaders and families. This spring marked the debut of the exhibit which explores more than a century of Filipino history, labor and community along Washington’s saltwater shores.
 Thank you for signing up for the #TeresaTuesday Newsletter. We will send you regular updates every other week. If you’d like to reach out or have an issue we can help with, please reach out anytime.
Thank you for allowing us to represent you on the King County Council!
|
