The Moral Imperative of Housing

My connection to Housing and Transport

Boulder’s housing policies worsen inequality and hollow-out the middle class. Our current direction promotes exclusion of fixed-income seniors, families, young people, minorities, and those with low incomes. Any city willing to perpetuate generational, social, and racial inequality has a fundamental moral failing—we need to aggressively address the problem. Our subsidized permanently affordable housing program needs continued support, and I want to push for middle-income solutions like duplexes, townhomes, and building more housing on transportation corridors. Our civil servants like police, teachers, and firefighters are increasingly priced out of the city. Boulder’s problems are moral, not technical, and I want to make real progress. I recognize that our community has significant divisions in how to move forward, and I will compromise to work together on solutions. I will not, however, compromise on the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion in our city.

When I moved to Boulder seven years ago I made the conscious choice to move from the suburbs into the city. I rented a small, aging apartment which my friends at the time laughed at for being old and outdated — but I was overjoyed to be living in a place with brilliant people, talented athletes, passionate entrepreneurs and bold leaders. As I grew into the community, I was lucky enough to buy that small condo and be able to stay. I want to work to give more people the option to feel part of and stay in the community.

I feel fortunate to live in our beautiful, dynamic, highly-desirable city when Boulder’s rising housing costs have priced out many younger people like me. Too many of our lower and middle-income residents, seniors, families and members of our workforce are paying more than 50% of their income on housing. Boulder's affordable housing program is a great benefit for those in the lowest income levels, but the city is not doing enough to maintain housing options for the middle-class. Many people who rent housing in Boulder and want to stay in town have the inevitable feeling that eventually they'll be forced to move elsewhere. I will work for a Boulder that is welcoming to all; where teachers, firefighters and nurses can live, reducing in-commuting and increasing diversity.

There is no easy answer, and not every solution is right for every neighborhood.

I support:

Increasing housing choices for all incomes, including granny flats, duplexes, townhomes
Creating complete neighborhoods, adding services near housing and jobs
Allowing additional housing units on roads that can be well-served by transit and biking
Preserving existing lower-cost housing and mobile home parks
Respecting historic preservation and neighborhood character
Creative housing options for people to enhance community and look at solutions to occupancy limits that enable lower-cost, sustainable living while protecting neighborhood quality of life

Transportation choices should be inclusive, progressive and appealing. Boulder offers robust transit, biking and pedestrian options which should be expanded and improved.

I support:

Creation of a city-wide EcoPass
Vision Zero and the goal of zero serious injuries and fatalities from traffic crashes
A city-wide bike plan that ensures low-stress bike routes to ensure families and "interested but concerned" riders can access the city safely
Enhancements to infrastructure that will attract residents to alternative modes—protected bike lanes, bus intersection priority, regional Bus Rapid Transit and bike connections
Expand support for mobility services such as eGo Carshare and Via which provide support for people who need access to a car and for older residents who no longer drive