Rising housing costs are making life in Herndon increasingly unsustainable for our working class. More than 50% of folks making $75,000 or less are severely cost burdened, paying over 50% of their income on rent. 

As a councilor, I will continue to work to adopt the 40/40 housing plan I have advocated for as an organizer, which includes:

• An ordinance requiring 40% of all new multifamily housing to be affordable for those earning at or below 40% of the area median income (~$60,000).

• Using land owned by the town and/or willing faith organizations to build 100% affordable housing for those earning $60,000 or less.

• Zoning updates to reduce barriers to multifamily and affordable housing.

• Density incentives for developers who commit to building affordable housing.

Herndon is in the midst of a critical period of development. The new Metro corridor, emerging industries in the region, and increased interest in living and working in smaller urban centers all present opportunities and challenges. As town councilor, I will ensure that Herndon grows in a way that prioritizes increased opportunities for our most vulnerable neighbors, while maintaining Herndon’s historic charm. This includes:

• Creating a sustainable business environment that prioritizes small and medium businesses over large corporations.

• Making Herndon more walkable, especially along commercial areas.

• Promoting infrastructure improvements that benefit our community and create more business opportunities (e.g., more ADA-compliant sidewalks, more outdoor dining spaces, etc.)

I believe that the town of Herndon should take an active role in creating jobs and supporting our workers. As a community organizer, I have been working with town and county officials to open a workforce development center to do just that. As councilor, I will continue to push for a labor center that will:

• Create a safe space for workers. 

• Coordinate with unions and employers to create apprenticeships and other employment opportunities.

• Provide workers with up-to-date skills training in fields such as construction, administration, and tech. 

• Expand summer jobs and internships for young people.

My favorite thing about Herndon is its amazing diversity. With the majority of households speaking a language other than English, we are a true melting pot of cultures!

Yet, this diversity is not adequately reflected in Herndon’s layout, events, or policy priorities. In order to ensure that Herndon truly represents its residents, I will commit to:

• Ensuring Herndon’s budget and policy processes prioritize our most vulnerable neighbors and promote equity, inclusion, and transformational justice.

• Supporting our immigrant neighbors by expanding access to legal representation and adopting policies to keep families together.

• Opening space for events that highlight all of Herndon’s diverse cultures.

Making it easier to get around will unlock economic opportunities for Herndon residents and help to reduce our carbon footprint. As councilor, I will work with our county and state governments to:

• Expand public transportation availability, with a specific focus on connecting downtown Herndon with the Metro corridor. 

• Provide improved alternative transportation options, such as rental scooters and bikes.

• Create more bike lanes.

Our town government should be responsive to people’s needs and work efficiently and transparently. As councilor, I want to ensure Herndon does right by its residents by:

• Prioritizing essential town services such as bulk trash pickup.

• Improving service delivery by fixing bottlenecks and outdated processes.

• Engaging with community leaders and organizations to ensure the town is receiving input on its processes in a representative manner.

Making our community safer requires a holistic approach that targets the root causes of crime. While the police have a role to play, creating safer communities requires sustained efforts to make our community healthier, less poor, and more unified. In addition to my other policies, as a town councilor, I will work to:

• Expand public resources and stakeholder engagement to build greater community resilience. 

• Prevent violence through expanded mental health and crisis-response services.

• Improve road safety and reduce speeds at critical junctures. 

This town has a duty to protect Herndon’s natural resources and do its part to reduce its carbon footprint. As councilor, I will work to:

• Protect and expand our green spaces. 

• Ensure new developments and older buildings meet the highest environmental standards.

• Provide incentives for the cultivation of native plant species to increase biodiversity and reduce water usage.