AHAA Endorsements: Vote for Affordable Housing!

March 22, 2023 11:01 pm

The Affordable Housing Action Alliance makes endorsements in the City of Madison Mayoral race and 11 alder races.

Links are to the full answers by the candidates.

Questions for the Candidates

1. The City of Madison continues to put money into affordable housing, but we can’t develop affordable housing fast enough or in a large enough quantity for people with incomes that are at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). What new ideas would you bring to the table to assist us in getting more affordable housing for people at or below 30% AMI?

2. Much of the affordable housing that is currently being built in our area is Section 42 tax credit housing in which the Area Median Income (AMI) is used to determine rent amounts. And because the AMI is so high in Dane County the rent for many of the units ends up being close to market rate. What can we do to make sure that the affordable housing we build ends up being affordable enough to reach lower incomes? Should Section 42 developments that receive city funding be required to have more units affordable for those at or below 30% of AMI than they do now?

3. We need more non-profit developers who are willing to build affordable housing and keep it affordable for longer periods of time. What can we do to get more non-profit developers in our community and support their growth and success?

4. Most affordable housing is only affordable for a period of 40 years or less, meaning our investment in affordable units is lost after a set time. Please discuss any ideas that you have for keeping affordable housing in Madison affordable long-term?

5. Tenants in the city and county have had access over the last couple of years to eviction prevention and security deposit funds thanks to the federal government’s COVID relief funding. These funds – the CORE program – likely will end in 2023. Do you think the city should prioritize providing more funds once the COVID money ends and if so, please give some ideas of sources of funding?

6. Are there any changes that the city could make – zoning requirements, paperwork, etc. – that could make affordable housing development and operation easier and more attractive to non-profits and businesses, and also less burdensome for tenants who have to complete a lot of paperwork and meet reporting requirements?

Madison Mayor – Satya Rhodes Conway

Satya Rhodes-Conway

Gloria Reyes (late)

This one was unanimous. The only unanimous decision where there were two candidates that answered the questions.

We did ask our members why they were voting the way they were and here are a few of the answers:

Mayor Satya has followed through on her promises to prioritize affordable housing and while there is more work to do, her budget reflects her values of investing in affordable housing.
Rhodes Conway has been willing to think more creatively about housing and shelter. Use of covid funds for medically vulnerable hotels, temporary campsites, Dairy Dr. etc. Reyes sees the world through a law enforcement lens and as part of the Soglin Administration was not a strong advocate for housing development or effective approaches to addressing homelessness. Her recent talking points seem to have been some sort of epiphany after she decided to run for mayor. Reyes dismisses the role of “policy” in decision making, the mayor should understand policy and focus on policy and evidence based practice. Rhodes Conway has increased investment in affordable housing development and trust fund.
She is both capable and willing to find affordable housing. She’s expanded both the funding for affordable housing and the land bank, and is exploring options beyond just giving money to people to buy homes.
I feel she’s a better choice financially.
Mayor Rhodes-Conway has a proven track record of increasing the amount of affordable housing in Madison. We look forward to working with her to provide more housing for those with the most need.