Strengthen Public Safety
Midtown residents and business owners have voiced alarm over rising crime and an increase in visible homelessness. In fact, the Midtown Community Council recently urged city leaders to boost police presence in the district to deter theft, vandalism, and other crimes. I believe that the Anchorage Police Department must be adequately staffed and equipped to respond quickly while pursuing practical, innovative public safety measures. For example, the new Mobile Crisis Team (a specialized mental health response unit) has already shown potential to reduce the strain on law enforcement officers and improve safety outcomes by handling specific emergency calls more efficiently. Ensuring safe neighborhoods also means fully supporting our police and first responders. I also support giving our police and firefighters the pensions they deserve so they can build a future here at home. Combining strong support for first responders with smart, innovative initiatives can help make Midtown’s streets and public areas safer for everyone.
Expand Affordable Housing and Tackle Homelessness
Like much of Anchorage, Midtown is experiencing an affordable housing crunch that affects families across the income spectrum. Housing in the city is now at its least affordable point in two decades. The average price of an existing single-family home has risen to just over $500,000 – a 23% increase in the last four years. New construction is even further out of reach: the typical newly built home is priced at roughly $683,000. At that level, modeling shows that about 86% of local households cannot afford to buy in, highlighting the scale of the affordability gap and the challenge of meeting demand through new housing supply.
This severe housing shortage is driving up costs and putting many working families at risk.
To address this, we must increase the supply of affordable homes and provide support for low-income residents. We must build more housing and continue to increase shelter capacity. We should cut red tape and encourage creative solutions to spur home construction. At the same time, the municipality must continue working with nonprofits on compassionate, long-term strategies to address homelessness, including expanding rental assistance, increasing access to mental health and substance abuse treatment, and helping people move into stable housing.
Invest in Parks, Trails, and Community Spaces
Midtown’s parks, trails, and public spaces are vital to our quality of life and civic pride. Anchorage is truly blessed with over 11,000 acres of parkland and hundreds of miles of trails that define our city’s identity, providing free spaces for recreation and community connection. These shared spaces are where families gather, kids play, and neighbors meet, making our communities more livable and attractive.
We must take good care of these spaces. That means keeping parks and trails well-maintained, well-lit, and safe. We must continue focusing on routine maintenance and quick cleanup of vandalism or trash, trimming overgrown vegetation to open sightlines, and humanely abating illegal camps. Continual investment is key: Anchorage voters have repeatedly approved park improvement bonds to repair aging playgrounds, fix trail connections, and upgrade facilities. By prioritizing clean, safe, and accessible public spaces in Midtown, we foster a stronger community spirit and a higher quality of life, benefiting residents of all backgrounds.
Support Small Businesses and a Booming Local Economy
Small businesses are the backbone of Anchorage’s economy, and nowhere is that more true than in Midtown. Our shops, restaurants, and entrepreneurs create jobs. When small businesses thrive, Midtown thrives. To ensure a strong recovery and growth, we must ensure local government partners with small businesses. We must build a thriving, diverse economy that benefits everyone in Midtown by championing our local businesses through sensible public safety and economic policies.