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Affordable housing remains a top candidate priority amid new projects and continuing need
Summary
Candidates pointed to recent openings like Clearwater Gardens and Indigo and urged more mixed housing types, down-payment assistance and partnerships so workers — nurses, teachers and first responders — can live in the city.
Affordable and workforce housing was a standing topic at the forum as candidates described recent projects and cited ongoing needs.
Kevin RT Lachland referenced restored projects such as the Indigo Apartments and said the city already supports a portfolio of income-based units across multiple thresholds (30%, 50%, 70% of area poverty levels). Sam Wilson and Jared Leone emphasized the need to expand high-quality, mixed housing types — townhomes, apartments and targeted workforce units — so employees and businesses have a local workforce.
Bianca Lvala said the city should evaluate why accessory/dense housing applications (AUDs) are slow and consider expanding down-payment assistance for workers like police and nurses. Mark Bunker noted that the council kept three affordable-housing projects moving amid rising costs during his earlier term and said the city needs to continue that work.
Candidates proposed a mix of public-private partnerships, targeted development, and expanded assistance programs rather than immediate new taxes. None offered a single blueprint onstage, but most said the council should accelerate permitting and prioritize projects that house the city’s workforce.
