Candidates at the Medina town hall discussed the city’s aging housing stock, code enforcement and ways to make repairs more feasible for residents on limited incomes.

Jim Shields described a problem‑solving approach from the city code inspector that starts with outreach and education before enforcement and said the city could expand assistance programs, including lists of vetted contractors and payment plans or grants for homeowners. "Instead of just going out there with a heavy hand of government... educate them," Shields said, adding that the city could add another code‑enforcement officer and help residents find affordable contractors.

John Coyne urged the city to compile a centralized resource for residents—an online “basket” of options—so homeowners can find fix‑it loans, county programs and CDBG resources. Coyne noted existing manufactured‑housing options in the city—Brookdale Estates—which he said is due to expand by “another 70, 80, or 90 more mobile home pads” and called manufactured housing part of the affordable‑housing mix.

Both candidates said affordability is a regional issue driven by rising construction costs and market demand; Coyne cited the federal definition of affordability as housing costs below 30% of gross income and warned that new market‑rate development often prices out lower‑cost options.

No specific new programs or funding commitments were announced at the forum; both candidates said the city should make information and assistance more accessible to residents.