Affordability
Affordability means lowering the total cost of living, not just the price of housing.
Between housing costs, transportation, and access to basic services many families cannot afford to build a stable life in Sacramento today. When one of these becomes too expensive, pressure is placed on every other aspect of life.
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED
- Too many "mini-mansions" are built out of residents' price range
- Public transit is inaccessible or inconvenient for many
- Utilities are expensive and outdated; Some areas still use power lines
Goals
- Prioritize starter homes and missing middle-housing to create entry points into homeownership
- Design new housing near transit and integrate transit options into existing developments
- Upgrade utilities in tandem with housing development to support modern living
- Expand broadband infrastructure to support remote work and learning
- Explore free and low-cost internet programs; Reclassify internet as an essential utility
- Utilize infrastructure upgrades to improve economic mobility and affordability
For decades homeownership followed a ladder: Residents began with smaller, more affordable homes, then built equity as their careers grew. That ladder has broken down. Today, we are building housing at price points far beyond what first-time buyers can afford. Development has also become disconnected from transit, forcing families to rely on long commutes and rising fuel costs just to get by.
Affordability depends on infrastructure that supports modern living. Reliable transit options give residents alternatives to car ownership. Walking and biking routes reduce transportation costs, decrease congestion, and expand access to jobs and education.
Internet access should not be treated as a luxury. It is an essential for work-from-home jobs, remote learning, telehealth, and everyday communication. When we upgrade our infrastructure, we should expand broadband access and explore free or low-cost internet programs so families can fully participate in today’s economy.
By designing housing along transit, alternative transportation, and modern utilities Sacramento can lower costs for residents while creating opportunity.
My approach is not only focused on making housing more affordable but making life more affordable overall.
Let’s give families a choice in how they live, work, and move around the city.