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, it could be called a crisis. I think we need to make sure there is affordable housing available for people like myself (I am a teacher) in middle-income ranges, people with limited means, and people with disabilities. I wanted a home close to where I work at Shorewood Hills Elementary School, and we can just barely afford to live where we do now. It is important that people can live close to where they work, so that they can walk or bike if they want to, use transit, or drive fewer miles.
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? There are many apartments that are affordable. There are many small houses that could be called affordable, but they will be more than what many people can afford. There have been Inclusionary Zoning units built at Hilldale, and there will be more built at Hilldale and Midvale Plaza in the district that I represent. I think that there should be more affordable housing built in the district that I represent.
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.
I have worked on reviewing development proposals for Hilldale and Midvale plaza. I think that a greater supply of housing is needed within the city, and that more supply will help to keep the prices of renting or buying lower. I was involved in discussions about the changes to the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance, and voted for the final compromise in July of last year.
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?
To me affordable housing is housing that people who are low-income or middle-income can afford. I think there is a great need for affordable housing for both low-income and middle-income people. I want people to be able to live close to where they work.
5. Aside from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Inclusionary Zoning, what are your additional new ideas for addressing the affordable housing crisis?
I am a proponent of mixed-use urban in-fill development, which will provide a greater supply of housing within the city, close to places to work and shop. If people can live without a car or have only one car, they will be better able to afford good housing.
6. What initiatives in other policy areas could support more affordable housing (for example, transportation, economic development, childcare...)?
I support better bus service, and looking at new options for transit, such as the work being done on Transport 2020. We need quality jobs in the city. I am working on developing plans for the DOT Hill Farms State Office building site, which will be an employment center in the district that I represent.
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 will not accept campaign contributions from landlords, realtors, or developers.
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
8. How much money should be put in the trust fund each year and where should these funds come from?
We decide how much to put in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund every year at budget time. Sources could include taxes, land sales, and fees from developers.
9. What percentage of the fund should be used to create affordable housing each year? Why?
I’m not sure, I think it depends on the opportunities available to create affordable housing.
Inclusionary Zoning
10. What is your perception of the Inclusionary Zoning ordinance? What changes, if any, would you make to the ordinance?
I have talked with people in my district who have bought IZ units and I am happy that the program helped them. I support the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. We recently made substantial changes to the ordinance, and I would like to see how things work in the next few years.
Fair Housing and Tenants’ Rights
11. What resources are you willing to dedicate to increasing and improving enforcement of Chapter 32 (the landlord-tenant ordinance)?
I don’t know right off hand, but would be happy to explore improvements that are suggested.
12. Are there any housing ordinances currently in existence that you would amend or change? Which ones – how and why?
Not right off hand, but I would like to hear from your group and others about what could be done.
13. How can the City improve enforcement of accessibility requirements under the Federal Fair Housing Act in new housing?
The Planning Department and Building Inspection Unit can review projects for accessibility for people with disabilities.
Homelessness
14. What is the role of the City in the homeless shelter system?
We provide some financial support.
15. What is the responsibility of the City to provide support services such as case management?
I’m not sure about this issue. I would have to look into it.
16. What can the City do to prevent homelessness?
The city can provide more affordable housing, promote more and better paying jobs, provide alcohol and drug treatment options, and work on underlying causes of homelessness.
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?
We should create more affordable housing and give assistance to people who have problems that prevent them from having a stable place to live.
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?
The City of Madison should rent the units that we own to people who already live in the Allied Drive neighborhood.
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?)
No, although I am not opposed to some homeownership there. I feel that the real problems and solutions to the Allied Drive situation have to do with the physical layout and land uses of the area. There are design flaws in the initial development of the area including lack of mixed-use, long blocks, isolation created by the borders of highway and marsh, and poor architecture. The redesign of the area should include mixed-use, smaller blocks, higher density of dwelling units, better architecture that improves the esthetics and safety of the area, and more employment opportunities.
