Foster City
City Council Candidates
Patrick J. Sullivan
Phoebe Shin Venkat
Richa Awasthi
Shankar Kenkre
Suzy Niederhofer
Patrick J. Sullivan
HLC did not receive a responses from Patrick J. Sullivan. Learn more about Patrick at https://www.patricksullivanfostercity.com/
Phoebe Shin Venkat
Q1: Are you a realtor, renter, landlord, home owner, and/or housing developer?
A: Renter
Q2: What is your position on market-rate housing and why do you hold that position?
A: Market-rate housing plays a role in the production and availability of affordable housing. While market-rate housing influences increase of affordable housing, it’s not a guaranteed solution. Market-rate housing impacts:
– increased demand and development.
– inclusionary zoning.
– economic growth (MRH attracts businesses and jobs)
Q3: What policies do you support to increase production of housing at all levels of affordability?
A: – increase workforce, educator, and senior housing using city-owned or city-leased land, as well as faith-based organizations’ land through allocation of funds for new and rehabbed affordable housing.
– support community land trusts.
-improve public transportation to attract businesses, jobs, residents.
– reduce development barriers (zoning et al)
Q4: What policies in your housing element do you want to prioritize implementing? (You can see a list of HLC’s priority housing element policies for all cities HERE)
A: Implement more tenant protections
Increase affordable housing supply (workforce, educator, and senior housing)
Reduce regulatory constraints (eg parking requirements)
Q5: All of the sites for housing in the Foster City housing element are all existing developments with people already living on it. How do you plan to increase housing in Foster City without displacing existing residents?
A: Foster City should buy or lease land, and zone it for housing. We have LOTS of empty retail – some can be transformed into housing (eg the old Orchard Supply). We should encourage SB9 lot splits, ADUs, and JADUs. I’m beginning to work with local housing and faith leaders to understand where we can build housing on faith organization-owned land.
Q6: If elected, what policies, if any, would you support to strengthen just cause for eviction protections?
A: – limiting rent increases (rent stabilization)
– implementing a tenant protection commission or board
– prohibiting retaliatory evictions
– access to pro-bono or low-cost legal representation
Q7: Many tenants have reported harassment and fear retaliation by their landlords because of reporting habitability violations. If elected, how will you respond to this issue?
A: I will publicly address these issues and hold landlords accountable. Landlords who continue to violate tenants’ rights should NOT be able to operate in our community!
Q8: What do you believe are meaningful solutions to addressing encampments while protecting the safety and dignity of our unhoused population?
A: First, treat all people with dignity and respect, period. Partner with local landlords and regional partners (HIP Housing) to get people placed into housing or placed into better housing as soon as possible. Offer resources and supportive services directly and/or warm handoff to county/regional partners who offer these services.
Q9: Do you support protecting and increasing funding for rental assistance? How will you ensure this funding is adequate to meet the needs of renters?
A: Yes I do. I would help foster partnerships between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private businesses to leverage resources and increase funding; advocate for policies that promote affordable housing development and rehabilitation; and make rental assistance programs more efficient to run and take part in.
Q10: What is your position on Prop 5?
A: I support Prop 5 as it will create more affordable housing for low- and middle-income Californians.
Q11: What is your position on Prop 33?
A: I support Prop 33 as it will repeal Costa-Hawkins.
Q12: What are recent state laws related to housing, if any, that you support and why?
A: I support SB9 as it helps address missing middle housing, SB4 so faith-based organizations and non-profit colleges can build housing on their land, and AB1633 as it will force cities to either approve/deny a project’s EIR within a set timeframe.
Learn more about Phoebe at https://www.phoebeshinvenkat.com/
Richa Awasthi
HLC did not receive a responses from Richa Awasthi. Learn more about Richa at https://www.richa4fc.com/
Shankar Kenkre
HLC did not receive a responses from Shankar Kenkre. Learn more about Shankar at https://www.shankarforcouncil.com/
Suzy Niederhofer
HLC did not receive a responses from Suzy Niederhofer. Learn more about Suzy at https://www.suzy4fccouncil.com/