General Questions
1. Do you believe there is an affordable housing crisis in our community? If not, what is your position regarding the need for affordable housing in Madison ?
Yes, there is a big need of affordable housing.. District #10 has a many comunities that are in need : like Allied Drive where the median income is $11400 a year..
Many residents can not afford the rental housing and most of them end up homeless.. In my district this is one of the biggest issue that many residents are complaning about..We strongly need a plan to develop programs and housing projects and to be affordable for all low income levels.
2. How much, and what type of affordable housing is in your district? Do you think there should be more or less than the available supply in your district? [Mayoral candidates, please answer in regard to the entire city.]
In my district WHEDA has a tax 42 credit program or you pay 40-50% of your rent.. Those programs work really well but there are not enough to help all those in need.. The programs that we have in my district only serve about 30-45% to those that need affordable housing..
Because we do not have a lot of programs available many of the residents in my district end up in a financial crisis and end up beeing evicted..
3. List any housing issues you have worked actively on in the last year, either as an elected official or as a member of the community.
As a member of the community and a landlord I have helped many that where in need of housing.. I have helped many families that where evicted from Allied Drive with a relocation plan and funds from the city..
I have been working with all the agencies and all case workers on helping all residents that can not afford housing .. As president of Allied & Dunn Marsh owner association I have been personally involved in making sure that lanlords took care their tenants and helped them with their problems more on a frienship level..not business only.. There are a lot of residents that owe back due rent and we are working with them to get them the funds and grants in order for them to keep their house..
4. What is your definition of affordable housing? Where do you see the highest need, or what would be your priorities in targeting various income levels?
The highest need is in low income areas, such as Allied Drive where many residents there live on a $ 683.00 social security monthly check..
My definition of affordable housing is when a resident pays a portion of rent or he does not have to spent all his check just paying bills and rent..Affordable means that you do not have to strugle every month and that you will have a chance to step that next step you always wanted too, it is a word that provides hope for many people in need..
5. Aside from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Inclusionary Zoning, what are your additional new ideas for addressing the affordable housing crisis?
Bring to the table developers that work with federal grants and develop affordable housing and senior citizens comlexes..
Also work with WHEDA and CDA to find programs that could make it affordable for many residents and find a way to attract more federal grants to be able to roll again the section8 program..
6. What initiatives in other policy areas could support more affordable housing (for example, transportation, economic development, childcare...)?
I am planning to bring more businesses to my district to create more jobs and more revenue to help with the city budget and programs for affordable housing.. ..I will look into a better more efficient way to work on public transporation for low income areas where not everyone has a car..
7. What is the position of your campaign on contributions from landlords, realtors and developers? Have you pledged not to accept some or all of these contributions?
I am running my own campaign from my own money..
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
8. How much money should be put in the trust fund each year and where should these funds come from?
These fund should come from developers, city budget and other federal grants ..
9. What percentage of the fund should be used to create affordable housing each year? Why?
I would say about 80% should be used for affordable housing and the rest shoul be there to help with relocation plans and eviction crisis..
Inclusionary Zoning
10. What is your perception of the Inclusionary Zoning ordinance? What changes, if any, would you make to the ordinance?
The Inclusionary Zoning ordinance needs some changes made to it, but I would have to listen to the community on all the things they would like to change, after all I represent them .. I would love to see all developers make make more procentage of their developments affordable and I think that this would be a great tool to deal with affordable housing..
I think that this ordinance is something that would bring homeownership to all income levels.. and it is a tool that would work great an making sure that we can offer from now on an affordable home to a resident that is ready to make that next step..
Fair Housing and Tenants’ Rights
Where are the questions 11- 13? .. I do not have them
Homelessness
14. What is the role of the City in the homeless shelter system?
To provide housing help and provide them with a casa manager to help them to get an apartment and provide assistance to find them a job to help them with the financial responsibilities.. Work with them for as long as it takes..
15. What is the responsibility of the City to provide support services such as case management?
The City should provide many support services and work with each individual on getting them the help they need to improve their lives..
16. What can the City do to prevent homelessness?
Create more shelters but in low income areas where most of the homeless are staying.. work with them with diferent programs and jobs assistance and financial help to get started..
17. What do you think are primary obstacles to getting out of shelter for those people who do have an income, and how can we eliminate those obstacles?
Many of them have a poor credit score or have eviction on their records wich makes the process of getting a home very hard for them..
We need to create programs where it creates a better understanting of how to manage your money..and work on their credit and a better housing references..
Allied Drive
18. During “revitalization” efforts, what can the city do to prevent displacement of good tenants who currently live in the Allied Drive neighborhood?
Work with all the lanlords that have 40% vacancies and locate them in their buildings so the good tenants would not be displaced..
Assist with city funds for moving and relocating plan ..
19. Do you believe that the way to “fix” the Allied Drive neighborhood is to have 50% homeownership? (If yes, please explain. If no, what should it be?)
Not right now... maybe 20% homeownership.... too many residents are living on a $683.00 monthly check... it would be to hard for them to make it.. First we should make it affordable then introduce this program of homeownership to them after at least 5 years.. There are very few residents that can afford a home right now, but the idea is great because that would create motivation for all other residents ..
