Action for Homes #52!

Joe Timmons for State Representative of the 42nd Legislative District! 

Joe Timmons smiling into the camera

Written by Gian Mitchell, Community Organizing Fellow

The Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund is proud to announce our endorsement of Joe Timmons for State Representative in the 42nd legislative district (Lynden, Ferndale, & Deming)! Joe’s commitment to sensible affordable housing policy runs deep. Like many people across the state, his rent went up last year. Joe wrote, “last year our rent went up 35% in Bellingham, and I know our family is not the only one facing these challenges. I am running because I want to serve my community and support workers and working families.”  

Joe’s stance on leadership aligns with our values of centering those most directly impacted by housing injustice. He states, “We need listen-first leaders in Olympia; leaders who recognize that the people they serve are the experts on what their communities need, and are willing to sit down, listen, and learn from their constituents. If elected, I am committed to doing just that.”  

Our commitment to addressing root causes of housing inequalities rather than just symptoms is something Joe also shares. He wrote, “I believe, as a lawmaker, it is incredibly important to look at these issues through a racial equity lens and to prioritize policies that seek to remedy the root causes of these institutional and systemic inequalities.”  

Joe has the necessary experience to implement our shared values. Growing up, Joe worked everywhere from a car wash to retail. He graduated from Western Washington University (WWU) in Bellingham, and the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. He’s served as the Assistant Director of Government Relations at WWU. He is currently working for Governor Jay Inslee as the regional outreach representative for Whatcom and neighboring counties. Joe states, “I have spent the last decade working in public service at the local, state, and federal levels of government. I am passionate about state government, and I am ready to hit the ground running to serve as your representative in the Legislature. I have experience in Olympia as an advocate for this community, and I know how to work with the Legislature to get things done.” 

No matter our ancestry, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, gender, sexuality, income, abilities, and/or influence, everyone needs access to affordable housing. When we work together across differences, we have the opportunity to make that a reality for everyone. That’s why supporting Joe and candidates like him is so important to crafting a more equitable and just state. If you’d like to volunteer for Joe or candidates like him, sign up here.

 

Duncan Camacho for State Representative (Position 2) of the 18th Legislative District!

Duncan smiling into the camera

Written by Gian Mitchell, Community Organizing Fellow

Duncan Camacho is running for State Representative, in the 18th legislative district (Camas & Yacolt)! Duncan is an experienced ICU nurse with a union organizing background through the Washington State Nurses Association. The Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund is proud to announce our endorsement of his campaign. During Duncan’s time as a paramedic, he learned of the importance of housing policy on mental health care. Duncan writes, “As a nurse and especially as my time as a paramedic, I have helped many people who were experiencing a period of crisis. I do believe that addressing mental health is a large component of helping people get off the street but in the hierarchy of needs, shelter is arguably one of the most important.” 

Duncan shares our vision of a future in which everyone’s need for housing is met. He states, “If elected, I would like to ensure funding to make sure emergency shelters are open and available so people who are experiencing economic shock can turn to for support. Create a pathway for transitional housing while shortening the length of a temporary residence is utilized. Ensure that immediate wrap-around services are provided to help people stabilize their lives. Ensure that permanent supportive housing offers safe and stable housing environments with voluntary and flexible support and services to help people manage serious, chronic issues such as mental health and substance use disorders.”  

With the knowledge that such programs require stable funding, Duncan isn’t afraid to tackle our regressive tax code. He writes, “I would like to work to change our tax system to support investments in low-income housing. I support taxing capital gains and adopting an income tax while reducing regressive sales taxes.” 

Regardless of our ancestry, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, gender, sexuality, income, abilities, and/or influence, everyone needs access to affordable housing. Help us make that a reality by supporting Duncan and candidates like him. Click here to sign up to volunteer with candidates like Duncan!    

 

John Zingale for State Representative (Position 1) of the 18th Legislative District!

John smiling into the camera wearing a blue button up shirt

Written by Gian Mitchell, Community Organizing Fellow

Meet John Zingale running for State Representative in the 18th legislative district (Camas & Yacolt)! As a public-school teacher with almost a decade of experience, John was motivated to run by the kids he works with every day. John writes, “I hear every day from my students, and their families, what their concerns are for our future. As a Social Studies teacher who promotes active citizenship and civic engagement in the classroom, I can no longer stand idly by when I feel their voices are not being heard. All children and their families deserve representation that will listen to them and fight for their needs. This includes our communities that have traditionally been left behind and marginalized.” The Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund is excited to announce our endorsement of John. 

One of John’s top priorities is access to housing for all stating, “Homelessness and houselessness must be a priority for us here in Washington. We must strive to provide people in these situations with their basic needs, and we must do this with empathy and humanity. We must be innovative in our policies as we look to solve this incredibly important and complex issue. I will work tirelessly to dig down to understand the root causes as we help create policies that work towards helping people and their many different situations.”   

Prior to teaching John worked his way up a union job in the grocery retail business. He started as a Bagger and eventually became Assistant Store Director over the course of a 16+ year career that began when John was 15 years old. John carried this experience into a career as an award-winning public-school teacher and currently works as a Social Studies teacher. 

No matter our ancestry, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, gender, sexuality, income, abilities, and/or influence, everyone needs access to affordable housing. Help us make that a reality by supporting housing champions like John Zingale! You can sign up to hear about volunteer opportunities at this link.