Just like Washington, say, putting parking above providing places to live? (12)
I believe the answer is:
presidential
'just like washington say' is the definition.
(like George Washington)
'parking above providing places to live?' is the wordplay.
'parking' becomes 'p' (abbreviation on road signs).
'above' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'providing places to live?' becomes 'residential' (providing residences).
'p'+'residential'='PRESIDENTIAL'
'putting' is the link.
(Other definitions for presidential that I've seen before include "grand needed" , "of leader chosen by US" , "of the headman" , "Like some leaders" , "Relating to a head of state" .)