Affordability
I have come to believe that there is one critical challenge for our city that is far greater than any other: making the city affordable for residents of all economic means across all their various stages of life.
In my two terms as Councilor, I have focused most of my energy on this challenge, and I will continue to do so in my next term. With federal funds drying up, this means continuing to review budgets line by line to ensure the city delivers great services, particularly first responders and schools, at the minimum cost. This means maximizing parking revenue while not impacting residents visiting downtown businesses. This means continuing to ensure that long-time homeowners who find themselves land‑rich but cash-poor can afford their taxes and utilities and remain in the city. This means initiatives I championed like the Gateway Neighborhood Overlay District, which encourages converting office buildings paying low property taxes into higher-value residential uses. This means being flexible and creative in encouraging the development of workforce housing throughout the city, employing different tools in different neighborhoods and maximizing public/private housing initiatives. This means improving public transit options, such as looking at the use of micro-transit loops to reduce traffic, and the need for residential parking. This means encouraging everyone across the city to step up and welcome new neighbors who want to live and work here and contribute to our vibrant, culturally diverse community.
Please vote to continue moving Portsmouth forward.
I have come to believe that there is one critical challenge for our city that is far greater than any other: making the city affordable for residents of all economic means across all their various stages of life.
In my two terms as Councilor, I have focused most of my energy on this challenge, and I will continue to do so in my next term. With federal funds drying up, this means continuing to review budgets line by line to ensure the city delivers great services, particularly first responders and schools, at the minimum cost. This means maximizing parking revenue while not impacting residents visiting downtown businesses. This means continuing to ensure that long-time homeowners who find themselves land‑rich but cash-poor can afford their taxes and utilities and remain in the city. This means initiatives I championed like the Gateway Neighborhood Overlay District, which encourages converting office buildings paying low property taxes into higher-value residential uses. This means being flexible and creative in encouraging the development of workforce housing throughout the city, employing different tools in different neighborhoods and maximizing public/private housing initiatives. This means improving public transit options, such as looking at the use of micro-transit loops to reduce traffic, and the need for residential parking. This means encouraging everyone across the city to step up and welcome new neighbors who want to live and work here and contribute to our vibrant, culturally diverse community.
Please vote to continue moving Portsmouth forward.
