Profession
Community Liaison - Retired Paramedic
Campaign Phone
5852981211
I served as a first responder in the City of Rochester for well over 35 years, and now do community education and outreach. I went to all neighborhoods in the city and saw the disparity and challenges our residents faced. All of our neighborhoods face challenges, but some are more extreme than others.
I feel that reading or seeing the challenges in our neighborhoods on the news is way different than seeing and hearing it directly from our citizens. Being born and raised off of North Clinton Ave also gave more a deeper insight of our challenges because I lived and saw them firsthand. Alot of other candidates talk about community, but they lack the historical knowledge of them. You must know the community in order to understand why residents and business owners are so upset.
I have been a neighborhood leader since 2007' and have helped rebuild a community that was once called GHOST TOWN. We need someone that will bring back the voice of the residents and small business owners.
I see public safety and quality of life issues as the top issues. Under these two items fall policing (and what that looks like), and housing (which also includes homelessness). I would need 5,000 characters to answer this correctly.
We need to staff our police department so that they can do their jobs affectively, and with compassion. This includes providing them with the tools/training so that they can regain the trust of our community. We need to create ways to support their efforts but also hold them accountable. Our neighborhoods are hurting with the amount of trauma and hopelessness they are in.
Housing - This is a multifaceted issue. It needs to be affordable and livable. We need more specialized housing for the elderly as well. We need more inpatient mental health and substance abuse beds that are local. We need for Monroe County to really partner with the city to attack these issues. Collaboration has goals, not excuses!
City Council needs to be innovative when it comes to this. We need to return schools like Edison Tech. back to a true workforce development school. Council does not control the district, but they do have huge partnerships with organized labor organizations.
Council should be asking all trade organizations to partner and offer opportunities to juniors and seniors. We should make sure that these businesses partner with organizations that have programs to connect adults to good paying jobs. We have some of this going on now, but with very little oversight. We need to hold everyone accountable.
There is a huge shortage of housing period. We need to look into rehabbing our own housing stock, and looking further into the delays with foreclosures. If homes are in foreclosure and all attempts to keeping owners in them, then we should try to expedite this process so that we could get the property sold asap. We need to get current landlords to get their COOs asap and help them be a good landlord as well. We need to get as creative as possible with housing. No idea should be off the table! We need to explore if the city creates their own housing on lots currently owned by the city that may be used to create owner occupancy somewhere down the road.
Profession
Artist & Community Organizer
Campaign Phone
585-667-8744
City Council is stronger when its members bring a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to the table. My work as an artist has taught me to think creatively, manage complex, multi-phase projects, and collaborate across cultures and communities to bring ideas to life. It’s also given me a deep understanding of the importance of planning ahead for better outcomes and long-term cost savings.
As a community organizer, I’ve worked to make sure residents’ voices lead decision-making—and to help people better understand how local government works, so they can engage with it and hold it accountable. Over the past year, I’ve built on that experience by serving as a legislative aide—supporting constituents and learning the inner workings of City Council in preparation for stepping into the role.
We are facing an unknown future, and I believe my experience in working collaboratively in finding solutions to novel challenges will be an asset to the body and our city.
Rochester faces a serious housing crisis. Over 63% of our residents are renters, and too many are living one rent hike away from eviction or displacement. We need to stabilize housing by preserving and repairing what we have, expanding affordable options, preventing private equity takeovers, and giving tenants a real path to ownership. Housing is a foundation for stability, safety, and opportunity, and we can’t build a strong city without it.
The second major challenge is preparing for the growing impacts of climate change and economic uncertainty. That means investing now in local food production, clean public power, and programs that strengthen community connections and economic independence. If we want a city where everyone can thrive—not just survive—we need to build resilience into everything we do, starting now.
Rather than focusing on endless growth, we should support our residents and local economy by investing in care infrastructure. New York State is facing a care crisis, with a large boomer generation aging out of the workforce and into needing care. We need a strong workforce of home health aides, childcare providers, and care workers—and we can create good jobs by investing in training, fair wages, and career pathways in these fields. Supporting a care-based economy would strengthen families, help seniors age safely at home, and create real opportunities for both youth and adults.
We should also expand programs that create jobs through repairing homes, growing local food, and building clean energy systems. Every investment we make should put our people to work solving real community needs—not just chasing flashy developments that leave residents behind.
Yes, Rochester has a serious shortage of safe and affordable housing. Much of our housing stock is aging and in need of major repairs, and too often, absentee and corporate landlords take out more than they invest in, letting property conditions decline, and ignoring occupancy rules. City Council can address this by investing in programs that help preserve and repair existing homes, expanding affordable housing options, and creating pathways for tenants to become owners. We also need stronger protections for renters and policies that prevent private equity firms from stripping wealth out of our neighborhoods.
Profession
Real Estate Broker
I bring a combination of deep community roots, hands-on experience, and a collaborative mindset that makes me uniquely qualified to serve on the Rochester City Council.
Over the years, I’ve worked directly with Rochester residents, organizations, and city leaders to address real issues—from housing and public safety to education and economic opportunity. I’ve built relationships across neighborhoods and understand the importance of inclusive, transparent decision-making.
What sets me apart is not only my commitment to public service, but also my ability to listen, learn, and lead in a way that reflects the voices of the entire community. I’m ready to hit the ground running on day one, with a vision grounded in equity, accountability, and meaningful change.
Persistent equity gaps and housing disparities:
Too many communities in Rochester continue to face barriers based on race, income, and zip code. Whether it’s access to quality education, healthcare, or economic opportunity, we see inequities that have gone unaddressed for far too long. I will advocate for policies that ensure equitable investment across neighborhoods, expand workforce development programs, and promote inclusive decision-making that reflects the voices of historically underserved communities.
Safe, stable, and affordable housing is a basic need—and a growing crisis in our city. Too many Rochester residents are rent-burdened or unable to find housing that meets their needs. I will work to expand affordable housing options by supporting mixed-income development, increasing tenant protections, and leveraging city-owned land for community-driven housing projects. Lets strengthen partnerships with non-profits and developers committed to equity and long-term affordability.
To do this, we must be proactive, collaborative, and intentional in our investment strategies.
For youth, we need to expand year-round job programs that provide early exposure to careers, mentorship, and skill-building. Partnering with local schools, nonprofits, and small businesses can help scale up summer youth employment and internship opportunities that lead to long-term success.
For adults, the City can support job creation by investing in workforce development programs focused on in-demand industries like clean energy, healthcare, construction, and technology. This includes funding for training, apprenticeships, and wraparound services such as childcare and transportation that allow people to actually access and sustain employment.
Additionally, City Council can work to support small business growth—especially among historically underrepresented entrepreneurs—by streamlining licensing processes, providing microgrants, and ensuring equitable access to city contracts.
Yes, there is a clear shortage of safe and affordable housing in Rochester. Too many residents are rent-burdened or living in substandard conditions, and the current supply isn’t meeting the needs of working families, seniors, and low-income residents.
City Council can take several actions to address this:
Increase affordable housing development by partnering with non-profit and mission-driven developers and leveraging city-owned land.
Invest in housing rehab programs to improve the quality of existing units, especially in older neighborhoods.
Expand rent assistance and homeownership support to help families build stability and generational wealth.
Ensure equitable zoning and land-use policies that promote mixed-income, inclusive communities.
Addressing this crisis requires bold leadership and a commitment to housing as a human right.
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Profession
Foodlink's Chief Impact Officer
Campaign Phone
585-690-6844
I am an executive leader at the regional food bank, helping to convene the entire network of emergency food providers in Rochester. I have started some of the most impactful public health and workforce development programs in Rochester, including the largest mobile grocery store in the region and the only culinary apprenticeship in NYS.
I obtained a PhD in History from the University of Rochester and developed strong analytical skills and a deep grounding of American history.
Perhaps most importantly, I have served City Council for eight years and have been a consistent, transparent, and accessible leader for people in every part of our community.
I pride myself on my record of service and my responsiveness to my constituents.
The primary challenge we face is poverty, and the new urgent crisis of the day is the constant attacks from the federal government.
There are no single policies that Rochester can implement to address poverty, in part because we do not have the budget to do a larger Guaranteed Income program for the whole community. One substantial thing we can do is create more housing opportunities. We will adopt a new zoning code in the next year that will make it easier and more affordable to build in Rochester. This will help alleviate poverty by creating more homeownership opportunities and improving housing stability.
As for fighting the federal government, we need to work together as Democrats and stay focused on the legal fights in front of us. Instead of getting distracted by the noise coming out of DC, we need to remain strategic and work closely with other municipalities and the NYS AG office.
Having experienced legislators is immensely important.
City Council can invest in thoughtful workforce development programming.
At Foodlink, I helped to start the only culinary apprenticeship in NYS. This job training has helped people develop a pathway out of poverty and go from being unemployed to earning a competitive salary.
We can do this work in all sectors, including some emerging ones like green energy and cannabis.
Yes. We need to update the zoning code to allow for more flexible buildings and projects. We have very few townhouses, condos, or coops for sale in Rochester, but that must change.
We also need to continue to invest in code enforcement, and ensure that we are enforcing the rules that we have in place. We have invested significant resources in code enforcement since I have been the Finance Committee Chair, but hiring and training enforcement officers has taken some time. We are making progress right now, as evidenced by the few stories in the last few years where we have fined absentee landlords to a significant enough extent that they sell their properties and move on.
Profession
Nonprofit Executive/Social Worker
Campaign Phone
15852100754
I bring a unique combination of lived experience, proven leadership, and deep community connection that makes me well-qualified to serve on Rochester City Council. I was born and raised in this city, and I’ve dedicated my life to serving my community.
As the Executive Director of Connected Communities, I’ve led major neighborhood revitalization efforts—bringing together residents, nonprofits, and public institutions to address housing, education, economic opportunity, and community safety. Under my leadership, we’ve developed over 50 units of affordable housing, expanded homeownership, and invested in programs that support families and youth.
What also sets me apart is that I know what it’s like to overcome real challenges. I became a mom at 14 and a CEO by 34. That journey shaped my commitment to equity and my belief that government should work for everyone. I bring both professional skill and personal passion to this work, and I’m ready to serve with integrity, urgency, and heart.
Rochester faces two major challenges: housing instability and economic inequality. Too many families struggle with rising rents, poor housing conditions, and limited paths to homeownership. I’ve led the development of over 50 units of affordable housing in Beechwood and EMMA and partnered with Habitat for Humanity to expand homeownership. I’ll fight for more affordable units, stronger tenant protections, and home repair programs to keep families housed.
At the same time, many residents are working hard but still can’t get ahead. We need stronger career pipelines, support for small businesses, and investment in youth and re-entry programs. I’ll advocate for workforce training, local hiring, and neighborhood-driven development that centers equity. As someone who’s led this work at the ground level, I’m ready to take bold, community-rooted solutions to City Hall.
City Council can help create jobs by investing in workforce development, supporting small businesses, and expanding youth employment programs. We need to fund training and job placement in high-demand fields like construction, healthcare, and green energy, while partnering with unions, schools, and employers. Strengthening youth employment programs will give teens real-world experience and pathways to long-term careers. Supporting entrepreneurship—especially for residents in underserved neighborhoods—creates local jobs and builds community wealth. The Council should also prioritize local hiring on city-funded projects and work with labor and nonprofit partners to create a strong pipeline from training to employment. With the right investment, we can build an economy where everyone has a chance to work, earn, and thrive.
Yes, there is a clear shortage of safe and affordable housing in Rochester. Too many families are paying more than they can afford, living in poor conditions, or unable to access homeownership.
City Council can address this by:
Investing in new affordable housing and revising zoning laws to allow for more diverse housing types.
Supporting homeownership through down payment assistance, rehab programs, and partnerships like those I’ve led with Habitat for Humanity.
Protecting renters with policies like Good Cause Eviction to prevent unfair displacement.
Preserving existing housing by funding repairs and weatherization programs for seniors and low-income homeowners.
Prioritizing community voice so residents help shape housing solutions in their neighborhoods.
We need bold action that combines new development, tenant protections, and investment in stability—and I bring the experience to help lead that work.
As a City Council member, I will be, as I have always been, in my personal and professional life, a humble, approachable, transparent, bold advocate, that works hard, to address the needs of others , in need of assistance. My current work experience as a Rochester City School Teacher, my pervious jobs, as a Rehabilitation Counselor with the Monroe County Sheriff Department, a Victim Service Worker with the Rochester Police Department, my tenure as the Project Administrator for the Gun Violence Prevention Program, a former Broad Member of the Corn Hill Neighborhood Association and being an active member of my within my Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and active member at my church, have helped to develop me, into a well a rounded individual who is equipped to help facilitate, logical solutions, to complex problems with our city. I will always make myself available to serve as an instrument of empowerment, too those who feel voiceless within the city of Rochester.
The there are many challenges facing Rochester, such as poverty, crime, substance abuse, lack of easy access to mental health services, gun violence, unemployment, and in general, the inability for adults and our youth, to thrive. However, the two main challenges that impact our city are, poor performing schools, and inability for residents to be empowered to secure generational wealth.
Proposed Solutions:
1) Research based curriculums, that have proven success, that serve as tools to educate our children, regardless of what school, within the city, they attend. Within our schools we must provide, wraparound services that address the holistic needs of students and families.
2) Home ownership can empower residents to began having generational wealth, which is one of the majors tools to began the healing process within out city, and help eradicate the other ills, which plague our city.
As I have said for many years, the City of Rochester needs to provide easier access to paid trade schools for adults and youth , within the schools and for adults who are not in school.
We must promote and provide avenues that encourage small business ownership. I strongly believe in the parable, " You can feed a person for a day, however , if you teach that person to fish, they can feed themselves and family for a life time."
Yes, there is a shortage of safe and affordable housing.
Solution:
To remedy the shortage of affordable housing , the Mayor and members of city council must make it a priority to re -zone the 3,000 lots which , are currently owned by the City of Rochester. Once re-zoned, affordable age in place homes must be built to accommodate the current shortage within our city.
We all know unfortunately, crime is on the rise in our city. Stakeholders must begin by addressing the root causes of crime. We must strive to eradicate poverty. There must be opportunities that allow individuals to address trauma, we must provide easier access to substance and mental health treatment. Additionally, we must abolish limited or lack of opportunity for individuals to have access to meaningful employment that gives them the ability to have a pathway to generational wealth.
Profession
Mental Health Counselor
Campaign Phone
585-210-2278
As a mental health counselor, and civil rights advocate, I bring a unique lens to governance that truly respects the voices of residents and recognizes that holistic strategies that meet the diverse material needs of residents, result in a thriving city.
Our communities are under attack. The federal government's cuts to healthcare and life affirming services including food, libraries and programs that increase accessibility for marginalized communities is causing harm to Rochesterians. My experience as a current Councilmember who has fiercely advocated for human rights, won protections for tenants and developed programs that invest in youth and vulnerable communities has prepared me for this moment.
By leading with courage and empathy I will continue to implement bold solutions in collaboration with neighbors and government partners.
The two main challenges the City faces are poverty and lack of safe, affordable housing.
Recognizing the poverty is a policy choice, I propose that City Council:
(1) Passes a living wage ordinance to ensure that workers in the City of Rochester are paid adequately for their labor
(2) Increase the City's minimum wage to $21.60 to ensure that city employees are paid equitably
(3)Expand the Universal Basic Income (UBI) program--studies show that people who receive UBI spend the money on housing and necessities to keep their families safe
(4) Join workers in advocating for passage of the PRO Act
(5) Amend city RFP process to prioritize contracting with unionized shops
To address the lack affordable housing crisis, I propose that City Council:
(1) Invest in rehabilitating vacant, abandoned single family and multi-family units, therefore increasing affordable housing stock
(2) Use City's Area Median Income, instead of County, to ensure that housing is truly affordable to city residents
To create jobs for youth, City Council can:
(1) Collaborate with skilled labor unions, and fund youth apprenticeship programs
(2) Create funding and oversight mechanism for creative youth who have new job proposals that may not fit into existing municipal structure
(3) Develop annual surveys and focus groups in collaboration with RCSD to gain insight into barriers youth face in seeking employment, and adjust to alleviate barriers
To create jobs for adults in Rochester, City Council can:
(1) Work with RCSD to meet housing and mental health needs of students, to ensure that they're able to focus in school, graduate and receive the requirements to seek higher education or enter the job market
(2) Prioritize grants and supportive services to small local businesses who provide jobs to residents
(3) Invest in local infrastructure like creating separated bike lanes, and developing new road design
(4)Meet material needs of community to increase safety, and keep and attract new businesses
There is a shortage of safe, affordable housing. Amidst our current housing crisis, Council must work collaboratively with community members and stakeholders to urgently implement a variety of solutions. City Council can:
(1) Invest in repairing vacant, abandoned single family and multi-family units, therefore increasing affordable housing stock
(2) Pass municipal Right To Counsel law, allowing tenants in unsafe housing to advocate in court, and have judges mandate repairs to enforce the warranty of habitability guaranteed to all tenants under New York State Law
(3) Increase investments in home repairs for Seniors and those on fixed incomes
(4) Implement inclusionary zoning laws to increase affordable housing
(5) Advocate to pass the Rent Emergency Stabilization for Tenants Act, enabling municipalities like the City of Rochester to pass rent stabilization laws
(6) Remove administrative barriers to accessing city grants for downpayment assistance for first time homeowners
Profession
Chief Engagement Officer for Monroe County
Campaign Phone
585-484-7206
I've worked for Monroe County for almost 30 years, am the past president of the 19th Ward Community Association, and I have been involved in a variety of community initiatives like the Rochester Food Policy Council and the Pharmacy Access Coalition. I currently serve as Chief Community Engagement Officer, touching every corner of this city and County. I've built relationships and collaborated with many community-based organizations-I understand the challenges our city faces. With all I've learned in these roles and the insight I have in the community, I believe that I am the most qualified candidate for City Council to be able to bridge the gap between City and County to work together on making positive changes for the community.
I see two main challenges a lack of access to resources and public safety. I want to expand our outreach to underserved communities and bring County and City resources to the community in the forms of events, workshops and public forums (HUBS). The City and County have different strengths and collaboration between these two municipalities is how we can help as many people as possible. I also want to expand on mentorship and youth employment programs, focus on health and food access in neighborhoods, and address the systemic issues around education. If we can find a way to take care of those in need by working towards employment, addressing health concerns, and keeping them in stable environments, we will see less crime and violence. Law Enforcement is important but it can't be our only focus. I believe if we heal together, we can thrive together.
Something I want to do on City Council is put an emphasis on funding Trade Schools. While a University education is wonderful, there are other ways that our residents can achieve success, we should be investing in these programs as well. We can get youth and adults signed up for trade schools so they can develop skilled trades like carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing and machinery. From there, our unions can enlist them making them accessible to big contracted jobs. This will address the shortage in trades workers and provide for young people entering the working world who know that University just isn't for them.
Absolutely, there is a shortage of safe and affordable housing. Many of our residents find themselves paying high rent for housing that has a list of code violations. I want to put together a program where we work with developers and unions to transform vacant properties into working, safe, and affordable housing. This not only would give steady work to our local trades and building unions, but it would also increase the supply of low-cost housing as a whole. To make that housing safe and keep it safe, the city needs to start thinking about how to get code enforcement officers trained quickly and find a way to pinpoint which properties need to be looked at on a regular basis. I am excited to start tackling this problem with the rest of the City Council when elected.
Profession
Chief Community Engagement Officer, Ibero-American Action League, Inc.
Campaign Phone
585-280-1270
Thank you, Rochester, for the opportunity to serve.
Throughout my life, I have embraced opportunities to grow and lead— beginning as a part-time grassroots community organizer and rising to the executive leadership team at Ibero. My experience is rooted in problem-solving, collaboration, and leading grants, programs, and services that directly impact our community. I’ve worked in neighborhoods on quality-of-life issues, beautification, social cohesion, and advocacy.
As a Councilmember, I quickly learned the ropes and was honored to be selected as Council President in my first full term. In this role, I’ve launched new initiatives, restored funding to grassroots organizations through member items, and invested in public safety, affordable housing, and expanding opportunity. I’m deeply connected to the issues facing Rochester and committed to utilizing government to support everyday people.
In this time of federal uncertainty, I offer steady, experienced, and thoughtful leadership.
Public safety and housing are the two most pressing challenges Rochester faces.
On public safety, we need an all-hands-on-deck approach. This means strengthening community-police relationships, directing opioid settlement funds toward treatment and prevention in the neighborhoods most impacted by the epidemic, clarifying which first responders handle specific calls for service, and investing in neighborhood infrastructure. Residents are key partners in building safer communities, and we must ensure they feel supported and heard.
On housing, we need to increase investments in both new construction and rehabilitation, while ensuring code enforcement is equitable and consistent across all neighborhoods. We must also create conditions that stabilize homeownership, preserve affordability, and help residents build generational wealth. This includes monitoring federal changes and actions to ensure we are prepared to respond to any potential changes in our future.
City Council plays a key role in setting the conditions for economic growth. As a Councilmember, I’ve focused on expanding access to opportunity. I launched Roc the Block Community Employment Fairs—block party-style events in each city quadrant featuring food, music, and job opportunities. Thousands of residents have connected with employers and educational resources through these events, with many securing jobs.
I’ve supported the expansion of youth employment programs, invested in workforce development—including the creation of a mobile unit—and helped increase digital access through our libraries. I’ve also supported the creation of new City jobs and approved significant Main Street grant funding to support small business growth and access to capital. Council can—and must—do more in the space of business incubation to spark local entrepreneurship and create sustainable jobs.
Yes, there is a shortage of safe and affordable housing in Rochester, but I am consistently working on this problem. I’ve consistently allocated additional funding toward affordable housing whenever possible, using departmental underrun funds to fill gaps. We can’t build fast enough, so City Council must continue to support projects that expand inventory—especially through zoning reforms and creative approaches like modular and manufactured homes.
We’ve increased the number of code enforcement officers, added a senior trainer to improve housing safety, and brought on a housing attorney to hold negligent property owners accountable. We’ve also passed stronger tenant protections and updated our fines and fees to ensure compliance isn’t treated as just a cost of doing business. Increasing single-family home construction is a key priority to stabilize neighborhoods but remains a challenge due to cost. I am committed to creating more inventory that will ultimately lower housing costs.
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Profession
Planning, Design and Construction Project Manager
Campaign Phone
585-310-2273
I believe a City Council member should have a balance of qualifications and experience. A council member should be an advocate for the community. I have been an advocate since coming out at the age of 16, starting with advocating for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community. My advocacy has only expanded over the years; I have worked and advocated for policy focused on housing, healthcare access, safer streets, and environmental justice, among several other social justice initiatives. Advocating isn’t enough if you can’t pull other members together and work within the system to get policy approved. A City Council member also needs to be able to govern and understand governance in this role. I have served on several boards, including the city’s Preservation Board. This has helped me understand the role of a governing body and how to work collectively with others to move forward policies and strategic plans for the betterment of the organization.
I believe that all our challenges are interconnected; the overarching challenge is the poverty in the community. There isn’t a single solution to solve this problem, but we can take steps to tackle it. We can work on expanding jobs and creating opportunities through job training and apprenticeship programs. One of the challenges with employment or meeting basic needs is access and transportation. We need to improve our transportation system and work on ensuring that work opportunities are in the city and not going to the outskirts of the county, so that everyone can get to them. We should also look at increasing the wages of city workers and increasing the minimum wage.
The other main challenge is our public safety challenges. We need to invest in intervention programs and address the root causes of the crime, especially focusing on our youth.
City Council can create several opportunities that would provide jobs to city residents. The city ambassador program should be expanded to create other opportunities that not only employ city residents but also improve the quality of life.
To create youth jobs City Council can work to expand the youth work program. The city can also work with the trades to create apprenticeship programs.
Yes, there is a shortage of safe and affordable housing. The city is taking some steps to address this through improving the zoning code, which will help create more housing options in broader parts of the City. The affordability will continue to be a challenge if not addressed correctly. However, the city needs to create an intentional and comprehensive housing plan. We need to create a plan that can help bring someone from homelessness to home ownership. I believe that supporting community-controlled models/community land trusts is a way o creating sustainable, affordable housing.
Profession
Program Officer
Campaign Phone
585-563-2923
I bring a lifetime of service, leadership, and lived experience. I’ve worked directly with youth, families, and communities impacted by violence, poverty, and systemic inequities. From managing violence prevention programs to founding grassroots initiatives like the 14621 food stands, I’ve led with a focus on community needs, not political agendas. I understand what it takes to listen to people, advocate for them, and implement real solutions that make a difference. My track record of organizing, advocacy, and public service has been rooted in action, not just talk — and that’s exactly the kind of leadership our City Council needs.
1. Community Violence and Public Safety:
We have to move beyond reactive policing to address the root causes — poverty, disinvestment, trauma, and lack of opportunity. I will push for stronger investment in mental health services, youth programs, violence prevention strategies, and real community partnerships that prioritize healing and safety.
2. Affordable Housing Crisis:
Far too many Rochester residents are struggling to afford a safe place to live. I will fight to expand deeply affordable housing, push for full enforcement of Good Cause Eviction protections, and advocate for investments in permanent supportive housing, especially for vulnerable populations like seniors, returning citizens, and our unhoused neighbors.
City Council can champion policies that invest directly in workforce development programs, youth employment initiatives, and partnerships with local businesses, unions, and trade programs. We should prioritize job training tied to growing industries — like clean energy, healthcare, and technology — and ensure access for youth, returning citizens, and low-income residents. Creating paid internship opportunities, supporting entrepreneurship, and expanding apprenticeships are key to building pathways to sustainable careers.
Yes, there is a severe shortage of safe, affordable, and accessible housing in Rochester.
City Council must:
• Expand funding for the development of deeply affordable housing units.
• Strengthen tenant protections, including full enforcement of Good Cause Eviction laws.
• Incentivize the rehabilitation of vacant properties for affordable use rather than luxury redevelopment.
• Push for zoning reforms that encourage mixed-income and multi-family developments.
• Prioritize “housing first” approaches that ensure people have access to shelter without unnecessary barriers.
No one should be criminalized for being homeless or priced out of the city they call home.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
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Profession
Community Engagement - Police Accountability Board
Campaign Phone
585-645-5588
After graduating from the University of Buffalo with a triple degree, I helped build food systems and green spaces here in Rochester as a founding board member of 490 Farmers, and established two initiatives that provided scaleable solutions to food insecurity in Rochester.
During this time, I also worked as a Legislative Aide until October of 2024 and am incredibly proud of the work that we supported and co-organized during that time. Good Cause Eviction Protections, a Vacancy Study that will help move towards Rent Stabilization in Rochester, and the stoppage of the Downtown Business Improvement District were significant wins for this community.
As a third generation Christmas tree farmer with fifteen years in the restaurant industry, I know what it means to work. This combination of work ethic, dedication to community, and experience through direct involvement with the City Council system will help me to immediately step into this role.
Meeting the basic needs of our community, and supporting our youth in a way that provides them a path to a better future.
These are crises that are of our own making. Our region grows 45% of the fruits and vegetables for the state of NY – we have the resources to feed our people. The fact that in a city whose total budget is $680M, we are spending less than $1M on housing shows that our current leadership is not committed to actually solving these problems.
These issues are also interconnected with the challenges facing our youth. This year, more than 1,000 students experienced homelessness.Others faced eviction and were forced to relocate, or are living in houses that are not up to code. Additionally, despite having some of the highest child poverty in the country, we have libraries that close at 4pm and both libraries and Rec-Centers are facing cuts in this year’s budget. There are fewer and fewer free spaces for young people to exist in safety.
City Council can help improve program funding for employment services in the short term, and help breakdown silos that prevent important work from being done in our communities.
In the long-term, Council can take steps to address the basic needs of our community. When our food, water, and shelter needs of our people are met, they have the freedom and confidence to take risks and build new, local businesses. Poverty and housing/food insecurity create environments where people are inclined to seek employment, not entrepreneurship, reducing the presence of quality, local companies.
Lastly, a public utility will increase the availability of local, union work, since much of RG&E labor is outsourced, non-labor employment. Funding a feasibility study and public utility not only creates local jobs, it could help reduce the burden of utility costs that are putting strain on our most vulnerable communities.
Yes. We can address the shortage of affordable housing by building as a city actually fits that description. The projects the city is supporting calculate “affordability” based on 60% of the Area Median Income from a 9 country region. The AMI from this area is over $90,000, but the average in Rochester is roughly $42,000. The units we're building in Rochester are $10,000 more than the average income here in Rochester.
We can also create a sense of urgency around the implementation of a Vacancy Study. It has been more than a year since the legislation was passed on City Council for this study, which would allow our city to opt into Rent Stabilization, yet we have seen no movement on this project that directly impacts the housing security of more than 100,000 residents.
Lastly, the proposed Housing budget for this year is less than $1M. This is unacceptable and we need to ensure that we are allocating the appropriate resources to address this crisis .
