Affordable Housing: Homes That Build Hope

Housing isn’t about politics; it’s about stability. In Concord, prices have risen faster than wages. Teachers, nurses, firefighters, seniors, and young professionals are being priced out of the city they serve. When that happens, it touches everything: school budgets, the local tax base, and the safety net that holds our community together.

The current school-funding gap is a warning sign. Even though the city doesn’t directly control the school budget, the pressure still lands on homeowners, renters and small businesses. At the same time, firefighters and public employees are asking for fair wages while trying to afford to live in the same community they protect. These issues are connected: housing, taxes, wages and city planning all move together.

My plan is balanced and achievable: 

- Work with developers, nonprofits and community partners to create affordable, mixed-income homes that strengthen neighborhoods without raising property taxes. 

- Protect renters from sudden evictions and unfair lease terms so families can build stability without fear. 

- Use city-owned land strategically for developments that keep essential workers close to jobs and schools. 

- Require every housing proposal to show a clear public-benefit and cost analysis before any vote, so residents know exactly how each project serves them. 

At the same time, the city council must stay consistent with our development partners. That consistency has been missing, and it’s cost us progress. When the council changes direction, delays approvals, or fails to follow through, developers hesitate, and affordable projects stall. Consistency builds trust. When the city stays steady and invests in responsible long-term partnerships, we make it easier and more attractive for developers to build the right kind of housing. 

When we work together and invest in more developers committed to Concord’s future, those developers pay more local taxes, and the result is long-term sustainability, more affordable homes, stronger infrastructure, and a healthier economy. That’s how we double our return: we grow the housing supply, strengthen the tax base, and create a city where growth pays for itself instead of landing on the backs of working families. 

All of this begins in committee, where every line of policy, every contract, and every

zoning decision is reviewed. If those meetings are skipped, or if councilors come unprepared, people lose their voice. I will be there, every meeting, every time, prepared, transparent and focused on outcomes. That is what accountability looks like.

I want participation. I want a council that listens to residents, studies the data and takes responsibility for how decisions affect your life. Concord deserves leadership that works, leadership that shows up and delivers. 

I came to this city as a refugee, determined to contribute. Concord gave me a chance; now I intend to protect that same opportunity for everyone, long-time residents and new families alike. 

A home is more than a roof; it’s the foundation of a strong community. When we lead with consistency, integrity and accountability, we build a Concord that is affordable, sustainable, and strong enough for every generation that follows.