Menka Soni Housing Statement

Candidate: Menka Soni
Position: Redmond City Councillor Position No. 6

My notes: Candidate adopts rhetoric of changing zoning codes in order to increase
housing availability, in allowing up to fourplexes in areas currently zoned for
detached single family homes. However, for downtown and the more urban core,
their position is reversed, primarily aiming to capture value from large
developments rather than enabling them. Candidate explicitly states that they do
not believe in unrestricted / unburnedened development, and wants to strengthen
already existing IZ requirements. Candidate also emphasizes community engagement
and other processes that inhibit development in practice.

Candidate is likely to be neutral-to-negative on housing. While improvements in
outlying land are very positive, they will be offset by inhibiting development
in the town center near transit, where wealtheir professionals attracted by
Microsoft and other software companies are likely to live, pushing them to these
outlying developments.

Candidate's answer was lenghtly and overgeneralized in comparison to the question,
touching on numerous points when only one was asked for. Very everything-bagel.


From: Menka Soni <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:15:25 -0700
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Message-ID: <CAN3ea+Rm51sgTinQU6=ThhKfServZ-FnEyjqq30iQ4CQcE6dpQ@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Voter Inquiry
To: <REDACTED>
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Thank you so much <REDACTED> for the email and I am very happy to see that we
have informed Voters in our community. I truly appreciate this email.

Here are my responses:

*Q1: What one specific policy or strategy that you intend to push for do
you think will have the greatest impact on housing affordability?*

As someone who has served on the South King County Housing and Homelessness
Partnership and has worked closely with families in crisis through my
nonprofit AmPowering, I believe the single most impactful policy for
housing affordability in Redmond is *zoning reform to allow for more
diverse housing types - especially missing middle housing - in
transit-accessible areas.*

Missing middle housing such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and
courtyard apartments bridges the gap between single-family homes and large
apartment buildings, providing more affordable options for working
families, seniors, and young professionals. This strategy, when paired with
anti-displacement protections and community input, can reduce exclusionary
zoning, increase supply, and naturally drive affordability.

I will champion a strategy that brings together *city government, nonprofit
housing developers, community-based organizations, and faith groups* to
create housing solutions that reflect lived experiences and local needs.
Faith-based organizations in particular often have underutilized land and a
mission to serve the community; partnering with them can lead to
purpose-driven housing that supports low-income families, seniors, and
individuals transitioning from homelessness.

However, I don't believe in 'build at all costs.' I will pair this zoning
reform with *incentives for developers who include affordable units,
prioritize sustainable design, and contribute to community infrastructure*
like sidewalks, childcare, and green spaces. I will also push for
*anti-speculation policies*, such as taxes on vacant units or out-of-state speculative
ownership, to help keep homes in the hands of people who live and work here.

*Q2: Do you support the Redmond 2050 Comprehensive Plan? What ways would
you change it, if any, to support housing affordability?*

Yes, I *support the vision and foundational goals* of the Redmond 2050
Comprehensive Plan, especially its prioritization of growth near transit,
increased housing variety, and renter protections. It's a step in the right
direction toward creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable
Redmond.

However, I do believe *we can go further* to ensure the plan delivers on
true affordability:

   -

   *Strengthen affordability requirements:* Currently, affordability
   targets and requirements for new developments in the plan are not always
   strong enough. I will advocate for *mandatory inclusionary zoning* in
   certain growth centers to ensure developers set aside a percentage of units
   as affordable to low- and moderate-income residents. And I will work with *nonprofit
   developers and land trusts* to ensure we're not just building more
   housing, but more *lasting* affordability.
   -

   *Accelerate zoning reform with equity at the center:* The plan spreads
   change over a long period. I will work to *accelerate zoning changes in
   key areas*, while bringing in *community voices - especially renters,
   immigrants, youth, and working families -to shape what their neighborhoods
   should look like.*
   -

   *Support tenant protections beyond planning documents:* While the plan
   acknowledges renter assistance, we must *institutionalize permanent
   eviction defense programs, rent stabilization measures, and emergency
   rental assistance funds* at the city level to ensure housing stability
   for our most vulnerable.
   -

   *Embed community voice into land use decisions:* Planning is only
   equitable if those most affected have a seat at the table. I would propose
   a *standing Affordable Housing & Equity Advisory Council* made up of
   faith communities, culturally specific nonprofits, developers, city
   planners, and residents, renters, social workers, and service providers to
   oversee implementation.

In summary, I approach housing policy not just as a candidate but as
someone who's been in the trenches with families struggling to find a roof
over their head. I'm committed to making Redmond a place where everyone -
from students to seniors - can afford to live, thrive, and belong.

By the way, I am talking to all planning commissioners as well and one
important aspect we have to keep in mind is capacity planning and though we
have not discussed issues like water capacity with growth etc., I am also
working on some of these issues with planning commissioners. Most of the
planning commissioners are endorsing me as their preferred candidate.

I hope this helps!

Thanks,

Menka Soni

On Mon, Jul 21, 2025 at 6:45=E2=80=AFPM <REDACTED> wrote:

> Hi, my name is <REDACTED>. I am a software engineer, registered voter
> in the city of Redmond, and I live near <REDACTED>.
>
> The last 3 years, my rent has gone up almost $700/mo, while income has
> only risen $300/mo. Housing affordability is my only issue this local
> election and will decide my vote.
>
> Every candidate contesting Position No. 6 has mentioned the development of
> new homes and infrastructure, as well as tenant protections. As a student
> of public policy, I know that success or failure of these types of policies
> depends on their specific implementations. Many politicians run on
> platforms of affordability but push for policies that simply do not work or
> are at best only marginally effective when implemented in real life.
>
> I have two questions:
>
>    - Although certainly you will pursue multiple priorities during your
>    term, what one specific policy or strategy that you intend to push for do
>    you think will have the greatest impact on housing affordability?
>    - The Redmond 2050 Comprehensive Plan
>    <https://www.redmond.gov/2310/Redmond-2050-Comprehensive-Plan> includes
>    changes to zoning and land use policy, as well as assistance and
>    protections for renters. Do you support this plan? What ways would you
>    change it, if any, in order to support housing affordability?
>
> I understand you're probably very busy with the upcoming primary election,
> so I greatly appreciate your time in formulating a response to my
> questions. I hope you have an excellent day.
>
> Regards,
>    <REDACTED>
>
>