At a bilingual candidate forum hosted by 1 Holyoke and Holyoke Media, multiple candidates running for Holyoke City Council said affordable housing and tenants’ protections are urgent priorities for the city.

Richard Purcell, a Ward 4 candidate, said the most urgent infrastructure need in his ward is “affordable housing” and pressed for rent control and a renters’ advocacy office in city hall. “We should create a housing rights office in city hall for renters to go to for housing concerns,” Purcell said. “Housing should be a human right.”

Ward 1 incumbent Jenny Rivera agreed on housing and added that sidewalks and senior accessibility are also pressing needs in her ward, but said “any community development grants that we could get…we should.” Anne Thalheimer, a Ward 3 candidate and renter, said rent increases are making it difficult for many residents to stay and argued the city should pursue an office for renters’ rights and explore funding avenues including community development grants and the Community Preservation Act.

Candidates described approaches they would support: direct tenant assistance, creation of a renters’ office to receive and triage complaints, and pursuing available community development grants to subsidize repairs and new affordable units. Purcell also called for ballot measures to advance rent control.

No candidate described a detailed funding package or a specific ordinance text at the forum; speakers referenced general funding sources such as community development grants and the Community Preservation Act but did not specify dollar amounts.

The forum organizers reminded attendees that the event included simultaneous interpretation and a random assignment of surprise questions; two candidates were absent for parts of the forum, and one candidate was noted as running unopposed for Ward 2.

Candidates encouraged voters to research positions and to participate in upcoming elections.