JOE’S KEY ISSUES:

Housing

JOE’S PRIORITIES:

Affordable, safe, and inclusive housing is essential.

AS MAYOR I WILL:

  • Support increased investment in the City’s Housing Trust Fund

  • Advocate through the General Assembly to raise the threshold of transferable tax sale properties into our City’s Land Bank from $75,000 to $100,000

  • Work with legislators to increase access to low-income housing tax credits to better develop truly affordable housing in our city and region

  • Work with the General Assembly to pass HB802 which gives local governments the authority to to seek an injunction against a landlord with proven building code violations and ask for damages. This kind of authority would be a critical resource for Roanoke as we could incentivize absentee landlords to either improve their properties or to sell.

  • Work to shorten the wait time for persons who are currently homeless and receive housing vouchers to get into permanent housing

  • Increase options for transitional housing while persons are waiting on permanent housing

Joe's Housing Accomplishments:

  • Established new Housing Trust Fund with an investment of $2 million from the City of Roanoke ARPA funds and $250,000 from the City’s Economic Development Authority

  • Investment in new, affordable housing in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Restoration Housing

  • Creation of a Land Bank in partnership with TAP with 16 new and renovated properties for affordable housing

  • Passage of zoning amendments which eliminate policies that contributed to historic red-lining and create a pathway for more housing options throughout the city