Letter to Editor | Homes we can afford, islands we must protect

||| FROM JENNIFER SWANSON |||

Two of my four priorities as a candidate, affordable housing and protecting our environment, are really about the same thing: keeping these islands a healthy, desirable and affordable place where people can live, work and thrive for generations.

Expanding access to the full spectrum of affordable housing starts with the people already doing the work. We have experienced housing experts and non-profits on each of our major islands, along with the Home Fund, a targeted resource for local housing needs. As a council member, I will partner with these proven organizations, which enjoy wide community support. I will work with them and the Housing Advisory Committee to update county policies that slow their efforts.

Affordable housing projects should go to the front of the line for permitting. Pre-approved building plans should be considered, which would speed up approvals, reduce development costs, and lower the risk of uncertainty. New homes should also be built efficiently and use solar wherever possible, lowering utility costs for residents and reducing our environmental footprint. The goal is housing that meets the needs of low-and middle-income residents.

Just as important is protecting the environment that makes this place so special. That is a responsibility we all share. I will work with Environmental Stewardship staff, local experts, Tribes, community organizations, and island residents to protect our water, support healthy marine ecosystems, and prepare for a rapidly changing climate.

In both areas, I will be thoughtful about how we pay for this work. That means leveraging outside resources and making sure every investment delivers meaningful, lasting results.

My approach is simple: listen, work with the established organizations and bring people together to find practical solutions that benefit the entire county, today and for future generations.