Our Vision
Affordability means lowering the total cost of living, not just the price of housing.
Policy
- Prioritize starter homes and missing-middle housing to create real entry points into homeownership
- Design new housing near transit or integrate transit options into existing developments
- Upgrade utilities alongside development to support modern living
- Expand broadband infrastructure to support remote work, remote learning, and telehealth
- Treat internet access as an essential utility, not a luxury
- Explore free or low-cost internet programs to help families, students, and seniors stay connected
- Use infrastructure upgrades to improve economic mobility and long-term affordability
Why This Matters
Affordability is about more than the price of a home. It is about the total cost of living and whether families can realistically build a stable life in Sacramento. Housing, transportation, and access to basic services all work together. When one becomes too expensive or unreliable, it puts pressure on everything else.
For decades, homeownership followed a ladder. People started with smaller, more affordable homes, built equity, and moved up as their lives and careers grew. That ladder has broken down. New housing is often built at price points far beyond what first-time buyers can afford, while development is frequently disconnected from transit and everyday services. This forces families to rely on multiple cars, long commutes, and rising fuel costs just to get by.
Affordability also depends on infrastructure that supports modern life. Reliable transit options give residents alternatives to car ownership. Safe walking and biking routes reduce transportation costs and expand access to jobs and schools. At the same time, internet access is no longer a luxury. It is essential for work-from-home jobs, remote learning, telehealth, and everyday communication. When we upgrade utilities and infrastructure, we should also expand broadband access and explore free or low-cost internet programs so families can participate fully in today’s economy.
By designing housing alongside transit, alternative transportation, and modern utilities, Sacramento can lower everyday costs for residents while expanding opportunity. This approach does not just make housing more affordable. It makes life more affordable and gives families more choices in how they live, work, and move around the city.