Convincing others isn’t about having the better data; it’s about having the better perspective. While a logical person might walk into a debate armed with a stack of citations, they often find that facts alone are surprisingly ineffective at changing minds because people tend to filter information through their own pre-existing beliefs. To build consensus you have to control the frame—the underlying lens or narrative that defines what the discussion is actually about. By shifting the context from “right versus wrong” to a shared exploration of values or outcomes, you can bypass defensive walls and start to find common ground. This is how HSN approaches challenging subjects that often tug at competing values – which in the housing world there are many. We are not about calling out our neighbors for a stance they choose on an issue, but rather challenging the frame and working to identify our shared goals and what is most important to us as a community.
Challenging the Frame
To the statement: As a tourist destination, Port Townsend relies on its small town character.
We ask: why is being a tourist town something that matters to us? When is preserving amenities for tourists in the best interest of people living and working here? When is it not?
To the statement: There is plenty of available land in Jefferson County, there is no need to consider denser forms of development.
We ask: what would a development pattern that relies on an ever expanding network of roads look like for our community? What would be gained? What would be lost?
To the statement: No increased density without affordability protections.
We ask: Should affordability measures only apply to multiunit homes? How is denser housing development at odds with community or personal values? How is it complementary? What are the downsides of continuing to prioritize single family home development?
Acknowledging vs Accepting
Our community has made huge strides in acknowledging the housing affordability challenges that exist in Jefferson County – something HSN has been a strong proponent of since our inception in 2018. But now our challenge is how to move beyond just acknowledgement and toward accepting. What does addressing housing affordability challenges actually look like? How does it interface with other values we hold? How do these changes benefit us? This is certainly not going to be easy and will require a lot of nuance and community conversation – this is where HSN is going, will you come with us?
In Community,
Eric Jones
Director