WHERE Z STANDS ON THE ISSUES
Affordable Housing
Our city’s housing challenges are multifaceted and demand a Council that is committed to our City’s long-term success. We need to ensure our housing supply addresses the needs of affordability, rising demand, and accessibility, while also aligning with state-mandated housing goals.
Our residents, both current and future, deserve quality, affordable housing. However, issues such as high construction costs, bureaucratic hurdles, and an overburdened system are exacerbating this already significant problem. As a result, we are witnessing a troubling trend: a decline in cost-effective housing in favor of luxury units that are out of reach for many. As Council Member, Zekiah will address these issues head-on. Zekiah will work to reduce the costs associated with building affordable housing and will incentivize developers to accelerate the creation of affordable units. Recognizing the importance of community input, Zekiah will ensure that residents, especially homeowners affected by construction projects, voices are heard early on in the decision-making process. Our city deserves a Councilperson who is committed to making sensible zoning decisions that balance our community’s identity with the need for increased housing. Zekiah believes that the path forward lies in innovative partnerships with stakeholders, updates to zoning regulations, integrating billboards/signage, and providing financial assistance to ‘mom and pop’ landlords for improvements. By taking these steps, we can work together to build a more affordable and inclusive city for everyone.
Businesses
Zekiah’s mantra is “Let Business Thrive!” Vacant storefronts, loss of many of our beloved businesses, and over regulation threaten the sustainability of our local businesses. Decisions by our current council have disadvantaged our businesses.
Under Zekiah’s leadership, West Hollywood will be a thriving, business-friendly City again. As a business-owner, Zekiah understands the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. This is why Zekiah is committed to crafting solutions to fit our business owners’ needs. Zekiah will fight to keep businesses doors open. Zekiah will advocate for small business grants and other financial relief, streamline administrative processes, and implement policies ‘by businesses, for businesses’ since they know best what they need to succeed. Zekiah believes our businesses are the heart of our City’s local economy. When businesses succeed, our City succeeds. Under Zekiah’s leadership, businesses will have the tools they need to succeed.
Homelessness
The failed policies of our current Council have exacerbated the conditions that create and perpetuate homelessness. We must explore proven and fresh ideas to fight this head on. Zekiah will deploy solutions that chip away at the causes of homelessness, including: lack of affordable housing, mental illness, substance abuse, and job loss.
From a comprehensive lens, Zekiah will be responsive to the needs and concerns of residents. Zekiah will create policies that protect our housed neighbors while providing resources to our neighbors living on the streets. Greater pathways to self-reliance and independence are key strategies in Zekiah’s plan to reduce the City’s rates of homelessness. Measurable goals based on residents’ input and collaboration are ways Zekiah will empower communities to be active participants in creating solutions. Eliminating homelessness helps us all.
Growing needs have led to our Sheriff’s department being tasked with responding to every social ill imaginable, many of which our Sheriff’s cannot be expected to solve. Zekiah will invest in our law enforcement, including technology upgrades and trained mental health response teams, freeing up precious resources for our
Sheriff’s department to be able to respond quickly to emergencies, prevent violence, and solve crimes in our community. Zekiah believes partnering with our Sheriff’s department is crucial to protect residents, visitors, businesses, and tourists. In 2022, Zekiah proposed establishing a Victims Advocate to liaison between crime victims and the Sheriff’s department. Zekiah’s then-board, the Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board, unanimously approved Zekiah’s proposal. Although the City Council failed to pass this item, the Sheriff’s department is now working on establishing a Victims Advocate. On Council, Zekiah will advance policies that anticipate our growing safety needs and address our safety concerns.
