Attainable Housing for Middle-Income & Workforce Families
The Woodstock Housing Market Study (2021) highlights a critical shortage of housing for middle- and lower-income families. As Woodstock continues to grow rapidly, the demand for housing far outpaces supply—particularly for workforce and middle-income households. Unfortunately, much of the new development is priced for higher-income buyers, leaving essential professionals such as police officers, firefighters, teachers, and healthcare workers struggling to find attainable homeownership opportunities in the community they serve.
The Problem: Barriers to Homeownership for Working Families
Limited Housing Options – New developments overwhelmingly cater to high-income buyers, creating a lack of attainable housing for workforce and middle-income families.
Rising Home Prices & Cost of Living – The cost of living in Woodstock continues to climb, making homeownership increasingly out of reach for many working professionals. As a result, many are forced to rent indefinitely or commute long distances.
Lack of Proactive City Policies – The only current city policy addressing affordability is the allowance of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which is not enough to bridge the housing gap. While ideas exist to diversify the housing stock, they are not being treated as a high priority, leading to delays that worsen the situation. There are no targeted policies to expand homeownership opportunities for workforce and middle-income families.
My Plan to Expand Housing Opportunities as Your Ward 5 Council Member
1. Incentivizing Workforce & Middle-Income Housing Development
As your Ward 5 Council Member, I will collaborate with the City Council and Mayor to introduce incentives for developers to build housing specifically designed for workforce and middle-income families. My goal is to ensure high-quality, attainable homeownership opportunities, with housing prices ranging from the mid-$200,000s to under $400,000.
2. Public-Private Partnerships for Attainable Housing
I will advocate for strong partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, and housing organizations to:
Support Land Trusts & Shared Equity Models – Work with community land trusts to create permanently affordable homeownership opportunities.
Develop Mixed-Income Communities – Partner with non-profits and private developers to co-develop communities that serve a diverse range of residents.
Provide Infrastructure Assistance – Secure funding for essential infrastructure improvements (e.g., roads, utilities) to reduce development costs and support housing affordability.
3. Smart Zoning & Development Incentives
To expand attainable housing options, I will push for zoning reforms and incentives that promote affordability while encouraging responsible growth:
Inclusionary Zoning – Require 20% of units in new developments to be attainable for workforce and middle-income families.
Expanded Density Bonuses – Revise current policies to allow developers to build more units in exchange for increasing the supply of attainable housing beyond the existing 20% limit.
Expedited Permitting – Streamline approvals for projects that include attainable housing, lowering costs and accelerating construction.
4. Homebuyer Assistance & Financial Education
Owning a home should be within reach for those who serve our community. I will work to establish city-led initiatives that:
Offer down payment assistance and affordable mortgage programs for first-time homebuyers, particularly essential workers.
Provide financial education resources to help families navigate the homebuying process and build long-term stability.
5. Preserving Woodstock’s Character While Supporting Growth
Any housing strategy must strike a balance between affordability and responsible development. I will ensure that growth respects Woodstock’s unique character while meeting the needs of its residents.
Why This Matters:
A thriving city is one where the people who serve the community can also afford to live in it. If we fail to address this issue, Woodstock risks losing the very workforce that keeps our city running.
As your Ward 5 Council Member, I will fight for smart, inclusive, and sustainable housing policies that give middle-income families a fair shot at homeownership.
👉 Let’s make Woodstock a place where everyone has the opportunity to live, work, and thrive!