The Case for a Homeownership-First District

I have spent two years of my life at the Frayser CDC focusing on one thing: getting people into homes they own. I’ve seen the transformation that happens to a block when a house goes from a blighted rental owned by an out-of-state LLC to a home owned by a Memphis family. The lawn is mowed, the lights are on, and there is a stakeholder on that street who cares about the community’s safety.

My platform for District 7 is simple: Memphis needs more owners and fewer renters. For too long, we have allowed out-of-state investors to buy up our neighborhoods, let them fall into disrepair, and then complain about the "decline of the city." I say we change the math.

Taxing Irresponsibility

Currently, we have out-of-state LLCs that treat District 7 like a piggy bank while our local homeowners bear the brunt of property tax increases. My plan is to flip that script. We should be lowering taxes for local residents who are investing their lives into their homes and increasing rates for those investors who fail to maintain their properties. If you want to profit off our community, you must contribute to its upkeep.

Blight as a Resource

We often look at a blighted house as a liability. I see it as a training ground. In District 7, we have young men and women who need high-paying skills. We have houses that need new roofs, new plumbing, and new electrical systems. By partnering with local trade organizations, we can turn these blighted properties into "active classrooms."

Imagine a young Memphian learning the trade of carpentry by helping to rebuild a home in their own neighborhood—a home that will eventually be sold to a local family. That is how you build a sustainable cycle of wealth and pride.

Removing the Barriers

Homeownership shouldn't be an impossible dream. During my campaign, I've met so many people who want to be stakeholders but don't know how to navigate the system. As your Commissioner, I will lead the charge in teaching residents how to apply for county grants and incentives. We have the resources; we just need to bridge the gap between the money and the people who need it.