Seattle’s Newest Progressive City Councilwoman Wants To Make Building Easier

Seattle voters elected progressive urbanist Nilu Jenks to the City Council, defeating moderate Julia Kang in the District 5 contest. Jenks campaigned on affordability and has argued that making it easier to build homes could help address the city’s housing shortage, a position that may appeal to both builders and renters.

Jenks has proposed easing zoning rules and speeding up permitting and design reviews, and has criticised the city’s Mandatory Housing Affordability programme, which requires new developments to include rent-controlled homes or pay fees. Those fees range from $11 to $50 per square foot; one Capitol Hill redevelopment was estimated to face more than $8.5 million in charges. High-density housing applications have fallen from 16,000 in 2020 to 509 so far in 2026, although wider market conditions also affect construction.