Campaign mailing address: Neighbors for Josh Committee, P.O. Box 8116 Minneapolis, MN 55408
Office Sought: Minneapolis Ward 8 City Council
Are you an Incumbent or Challenger: Challenger
City of Residence: Minneapolis
How long have you lived in your community?
50+ years
Are you a Homeowner or Renter?
Homeowner
Do you own other real property (e.g. Business, Cabin, Investment, or Rental Property)? If so, which?
No
Describe your civic and/or community engagement.
Neighborhood Association Volunteer and Youth Sports Coach
What are the most important housing challenges facing your community?
The most important housing challenges in my community are the shortage of affordable homes and barriers to equitable access, especially as new housing development often fails to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income residents. Ensuring that new developments include a mix of income levels and prioritize affordability is essential to creating a more inclusive and equitable community.
The Twin Cities Metro is facing a housing shortage unlike any we have experienced in recent history. What will you do to increase the number of homes available to residents of your community?
To increase the number of homes available, I will secure additional funding and offer tax incentives for affordable housing, streamline regulations to lower construction costs, and update zoning laws to support higher-density, mixed-use developments. I’ll also prioritize community engagement, form public-private partnerships, and promote ownership options like co-ops and first-time homebuyer programs to ensure housing solutions meet local needs.
Minnesota has one of the largest homeownership gaps between Whites and Blacks, Indigenous, and People of Color. This is one of MAR’s primary concerns. What would you propose at the local level to close this home ownership gap?
To close the homeownership gap in Minneapolis, I would expand targeted down payment assistance and first-time homebuyer programs for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and support innovative ownership models like community land trusts and cooperatives. Additionally, I would work to reform zoning, increase affordable housing development, and partner with local organizations to provide education and resources that address historic barriers to homeownership.
How do you think your city can best balance the rights of tenants and property owners to effectively manage rental housing?
The city can best balance tenant and property owner rights by bolstering existing policies with clear, fair rental regulations and strong enforcement procedures, while maintaining open communication and support for both groups. Strengthening these frameworks will ensure stability, safety, and equity in the rental housing market.
What are your views on property tax rates in your community? Do you have concerns related to your city’s property tax rate? If so, how would you address those concerns once elected?
The city can best balance tenant and property owner rights by bolstering existing policies with clear, fair rental regulations and strong enforcement procedures, while maintaining open communication and support for both groups. Strengthening these frameworks will ensure stability, safety, and equity in the rental housing market.
Please provide links to all social media accounts connected to you or your campaign.
Facebook – https://facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.joshbforward8.org
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/joshbforward8/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.joshbforward8.org
Please list any notable endorsements for your campaign.
Minneapolis Firefighters and Moms Demand Action
