Quotes from U.S. Mayors
Matt Mahan
Mayor of San Jose, CA
"It’s time we delivered on the basics – and to me, the most basic priority for our city government is to make sure all our residents have a roof over their heads. Our comprehensive approach to tackling this priority starts with providing immediate shelter paired with support services to everyone living outdoors. Once our 4,975 unsheltered neighbors are off of the streets, we can get them on the path towards stable housing by using the pre-built modular units we’re developing right now faster and more cost-effectively than the current approach. Permanent, affordable housing is still the ultimate goal, but San Jose can only do so much alone – which is why I’m working with America’s mayors and those in the private sector to help ensure that Washington continues as our program, technology and funding partner. Together, we have an opportunity to turn collective failing into communal success if we focus on delivering the basics."
Mark R. Shepherd
Mayor of Clearfield City, UT
"Clearfield is a military community and a manufacturing community, and our Airmen and shop-floor workers cannot afford a place to live right now. So we’re creating public-private partnerships to assemble bigger projects where we can effect real change. This shows that cities cannot solve the problem at its current scale alone; we need cities, developers, Realtors, HUD and others at the table with open minds, each finding a common understanding and giving a common share for the benefit of our residents. But we have much more work to do. So I look forward to working with my fellow mayors and business leaders – with Washington as our partner – to accelerate this work for Clearfield and America."
Lucy Vinis
Mayor of Eugene, OR
"Many cities are struggling with housing affordability and availability, redevelopment and expansion of neighborhoods, investments in infrastructure, and concerns about pricing out and marginalizing sectors of their communities. All cities struggle with continuing reductions in federal support for building and renovating subsidized housing. The U.S. can fix this problem through an optimistic willingness to embrace opportunities before us — and funding them — at the city, state and, yes, federal level. Eugene joins this coalition to ensure the federal government returns to its role as a collaborator and investor in helping solve our country’s biggest challenges — because this is undoubtedly one of them."
Todd Gloria
Mayor of San Diego, CA
"In San Diego, we’re working together to clear barriers, incentivize housing production near transit and jobs, prioritize affordable housing on surplus City land, and convert hotel rooms into supportive housing to get people experiencing chronic homelessness off the streets. Strategies like these must coalesce nationally with all hands on deck – local, state, and federal governments working with the private sector to solve this social and economic crisis. I’m proud to join my fellow mayors and our nation’s business leaders in calling for a sustained, committed plan to ensure that everyone has a stable and affordable place to call home."
Bruce Harrell
Mayor of Seattle, WA
On homelessness, Seattle believes in going back to basics, where good governance and true crisis response begin. This includes our housing first policy, expanding mental health services, working regionally and simplifying systems for faster, better-coordinated response. And it includes working to ensure the federal government’s partnership every step of the way. This coalition is a powerful way for America’s mayors to come together, identify answers at a national scale, and ensure that Washington is invested with us.
Karen Bass
Mayor of Los Angeles, CA
"Los Angeles has declared a State of Emergency on Homelessness, and we are working with urgency to marshal a whole of government approach to execute a single, strategic plan to house our over 40,000 Angelenos. Our Inside Safe program will dramatically reduce street homelessness, ending encampments by connecting people to housing and services through our Inside Safe program and leading on mental health and substance abuse treatment. But this crisis — and our way out of it — are not unique to L.A., so I join my fellow mayors and business leaders to share learnings and help ensure this plan works for Los Angeles and cities and towns all across America."
Ashleigh Aitken
Mayor of Anaheim, CA
"Homelessness is the challenge of our time in California and across the nation — and we’re making progress. We’ve reduced the number of people living unsheltered in Anaheim by 30 percent since 2019. For those still unhoused, our Community Care Response Team offers daily outreach with shelter, services and a path toward sustainable housing. Be Well OC’s Hope Anaheim Team helps those in crisis, and, with other nonprofit partners, we can provide access to substance abuse treatment, rapid rehousing and help for families, teens, seniors and veterans. Still, we are in the toughest stage of addressing homelessness, and I look forward to working through it with my fellow Mayors, America’s business leaders and the federal government as our partner, collaborating to bring Anaheim’s homeless home."
Sheng Thao
Mayor of Oakland, CA
"I grew up in public housing and once lived in my car. That’s why I take getting people into temporary or permanent housing so personally and so seriously, and why our comprehensive approach will provide dignified, centralized shelters with wraparound mental health, substance abuse and other services while also developing affordable housing to get our neighbors under a roof. But we can’t do this work alone. That’s why I’m joining my fellow mayors and leaders in business to work with the federal government to ensure our work is supported, funded and measured for progress as quickly as possible."
Justin M. Bibb
Mayor of Cleveland, OH
"Cleveland is investing more than $50 million in hyperlocal, “housing for all” programs that recognize each neighborhood's unique needs by revising antiquated public/private housing incentives, renovating our existing housing stock, encouraging accessible lending, getting more minority contractors involved and supporting our homeless population with wrap-around services and pathways to secure housing. Our target is to begin funding more than 3,100 affordable and market-rate housing units new to market in 2023 — but we still have a long way to go. I will work with my fellow mayors, our business partners and the federal government to accelerate down that path of improving affordable housing options for every Clevelander."
Steve Williams
Mayor of Huntington, WV
"We’re harnessing the strengths of state and local government and the private sector to transform Huntington into the economic gateway of the Appalachian region. But for that gateway to open, our ‘City of Solutions’ still has a long way to go to solve our affordable housing and homelessness challenge – and we cannot do so without having the federal government as an engaged and equal policy and investment partner. By joining with my fellow mayors and America’s business leaders in this energetic and growing coalition, we can help ensure Washington is at the table, determined to get every Huntingtonian and our neighbors across America housed as quickly and equitably as possible."
Darrell Steinberg
Mayor of Sacramento, CA
“Cities across the country are entering into innovative public-private partnerships with private industry to urgently, creatively and comprehensively address the homeless crisis. In Sacramento, Sutter Health has stepped up to provide critically needed resources for permanent housing, service-rich temporary shelters, and cutting-edge assertive outreach. Together, Mayors and CEOs are embarking on a campaign to advocate for the resources and policies we know work to address the crisis.”
Kate Gallego
Mayor of Phoenix, AZ
"We know that more affordable housing and wrap-around health services are the most straightforward solutions to end homelessness in Phoenix and across the U.S. But all stakeholders – local governments, the federal government, and businesses – must invest greater time and resources to make this concept a common reality. In Phoenix, we’re exploring the creation of entirely new incentives for affordable housing construction, and I believe that this powerful coalition of my fellow mayors and our great business community will help to generate new ideas to solve one of our nation’s greatest problems."
Corey Woods
Mayor of Tempe, AZ
"Tempe’s Hometown for All is cutting red tape and boosting affordable housing growth through a sustainable funding stream, which helps us meet housing needs faster and for the long term. We are pulling every lever — acquiring permanently affordable homes, purchasing land through partnerships to develop affordable and workforce housing, redeveloping and reimagining city-owned properties and working with local landlords to protect Tempe’s renters. Still, we continue to grow, and I am proud to stand with my fellow Mayors to ensure the federal government invests alongside us, through vouchers and many other tools, so that Tempe can be a hometown for all who want to live, work and dream here."
Martha Guerrero
Mayor of West Sacramento, CA
"West Sacramento is working to grow a city where the issues central to the lives of our people are reflected in the plans we make and the progress we achieve. Reversing the housing crisis and addressing homelessness will require large and regular investments, and while state resources have helped open up more housing through Project Roomkey this covers solely temporary, emergency shelter options on the path to permanent housing. To create a more enduring, lasting solution, we need the federal government as our partner, and I look forward to working with my fellow mayors to get this done."
London N. Breed
Mayor of San Francisco, CA
"I am proud to join my mayoral peers and our business counterparts in Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment to fight for resources to address our affordable housing and homeless crises. Cities, suburbs and rural towns cannot solve these mounting problems alone -- it will take investment from the federal government and business community. Americans must have access to affordable and stable housing and we must invest in mental health and addiction treatment services. Now is time for the federal government to act on these pressing issues and Mayors and CEOs for US Housing Investment provides the platform to achieve results."
Muriel Bowser
Mayor of Washington, DC
“In Washington, DC, we are committed to ending homelessness and expanding access to safe and affordable housing. As leaders across the country work to tackle these issues, we recognize that the best thing we can do for our residents and communities is to come together, share our solutions and investments, and support and multiply the programs and ideas that are working. We recognize that by investing in affordable housing, we are investing in safer, stronger communities and building new pathways to the middle class for our most vulnerable residents.”
Jerry Dyer
Mayor of Fresno, CA
"We’ve brought together Fresno's best — government experts, local non-profits, and homeless advocates widely known in the community — to help get all our neighbors safely housed as quickly as possible. But homelessness in our city has grown in recent years, and the scope of the challenge demands much more, including the partnership of the federal government. This is not a partisan issue but an American one, and I believe that by bringing our country's mayors together with the leaders of top American companies, we can work with Washington to unlock greater federal investment in housing."
Tim Keller
Mayor of Albuquerque, NM
"Albuquerque’s Housing Forward initiative addresses our city’s housing crisis by increasing the supply and improving access for residents from diverse backgrounds. We’re expanding housing opportunities through targeted zoning changes and greater investment, including converting hotels and motels to housing. In addition, our new Gateway Center will provide shelter and a pathway to permanent housing, medical sobering and treatment, a first of its kind first responder drop-off. Our new Community Safety Department is providing an alternative response for calls involving mental health crises, substance use, and homelessness response. I look forward to working with my fellow mayors, our business leaders and Washington to make the tough decisions these continued economic and community challenges require. We are working hard and fast for Albuquerque and America.”
Mike Johnston
Mayor of Denver, CO
“On my first full day in office, I issued an emergency declaration and activated our Emergency Operations Center to address Denver's homelessness crisis. Our goal is to house 1,000 unsheltered residents by the end of the year. We’re acting with greater urgency than ever and are deploying every possible resource, including purchasing or leasing properties, converting hotel rooms into transitional housing, and establishing micro-communities, such as tiny home villages, throughout the city. We also are working to quickly deliver thousands of new units of permanently affordable housing and make better connections for people to mental health care, addiction treatment, workforce training and other vital support services. I’m honored to be shoulder to shoulder with my fellow Mayors and business leaders as we work to ensure Washington is our strong partner in this Mile High effort.”
David Holt
Mayor of Oklahoma City, OK
“We believe that Oklahoma City can continue to thrive only if we find common purpose. This includes investing in truly affordable housing as a means to curb homelessness in our city and across America. And while it’s local government’s job to explain this complex issue to our neighbors and why investment is right for OKC, we can only address the scale of this problem with the federal government as a strong, consistent partner. I look forward to working with my fellow mayors and business leaders to make this happen.”
John Giles
Mayor of Mesa, AZ
“Unfortunately, and all too often, too many people in our cities struggle to know where they will next find a roof to sleep under or food to eat. I’m excited to join with the Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment initiative to shine a powerful light on these challenges and work towards solutions that will empower those in need while ensuring strong, safe communities.”
Karen K. Goh
Mayor of Bakersfield, CA
"The pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges in addressing the growing concerns of housing affordability and homelessness across our great nation. Through collaboration with our local, state, and federal partners, we are building a better Bakersfield, and that means continuing to invest in affordable housing construction paired with integrated support and case management services. But we need Washington’s partnership to make the systemic changes that our city and our country need. I’m pleased to join my fellow mayors and America’s business leaders in this coalition to garner the support required to implement meaningful solutions."
Cassie Franklin
Mayor of Everett, WA
"Everyone in Everett deserves to feel safe and to believe in the opportunity of a home. We are ahead of the curve in bringing innovative, collaborative answers to the complex problems facing our City and the nation. Still, we have a long way to go, and we will not have lasting success without the active participation of, and investment by, all players: local and national businesses and local, state and federal governments. Mayors & CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment is the right platform for mayors and businesses to identify solutions any city can replicate - and so earn the federal government's investment in their promise."
Lauren McLean
Mayor of Boise, ID
"Housing is not just about houses, it's about people. That’s why my number one priority for Boise remains ensuring that we've got homes for everyone. Over the past two years, we've provided homes to more than 500 individuals and more than 300 families and continued to direct more than $12 million in recovery funds to create and preserve affordable homes through six affordable housing projects under construction, seven more in the pipeline and still more in development. Still, it’s not enough for a growing Boise, so I’m proud to join my fellow mayors and our business partners to ensure the federal government joins us in funding affordable housing solutions at the scale necessary in Idaho and across the country."
Quinton D. Lucas
Mayor of Kansas City, MO
“Ensuring all Kansas Citians have access to safe and affordable housing is a priority now and will remain a priority well into the future. Kansas City has launched several innovative programs to create new affordable housing options, including our new Housing Trust Fund, paired with the adoption of significant policy reforms to help address long-standing housing needs in our community. Still, we have much work to do and I’m proud to join this bipartisan coalition to ensure work is done in partnership with mayors across our country and the federal government. When communities together invest in important programs like these, we can overcome our shared challenges at the right scale, while ensuring funding is applied appropriately. I look forward to working with my colleagues to create more affordable housing options for Kansas Citians, Missourians, and all Americans.”
Kevin Lincoln
Mayor of Stockton, CA
“Stockton is a young city, a city on the rise with a bright future, but we need all our neighbors to join in for us to shine the brightest. By understanding the complexity and scale of homelessness and the lack of affordable housing, and working to ensure that the federal government is our partner in finding equitable, appropriately-funded solutions, we can take steps to meet our community's needs. I look forward to working with my fellow mayors and top business leaders to make this our moment for the city of Stockton — and for America.”
Jerry Weiers
Mayor of Glendale, AZ
"Glendale is committed to solving homelessness and ensuring that everyone has a safe place to call home. But this problem can’t be solved overnight or with one answer or one provider, as the path tohomelessness is different for everyone and requires different responses and services for each individual. We are making progress, with new builds to provide shelter and dignity to previously-homeless veterans and the potential for new zoning and other actions to boost new housing construction, refurbish old housing stock and ensure that government programs like vouchers are recognized so that more of our neighbors can move indoors. I welcome working with my fellow mayors and business leaders in this coalition as I have always worked to foster a culture of positive public-private partnerships to help the city grow and make a positive difference in people’s lives."
Leonardo Williams
Mayor of Durham, NC
"In Durham, we're focusing beyond affordable housing to affordable living, where housing is a human right and residents of every income level have access to housing that they want, need and deserve. One way to do so is by ensuring we’re making the best decisions with City-owned land, where we can provide housing options at every level and beautiful open space; we’re already well on our way to building 2,000 multi-income units in our Downtown. And while Durham is dope, we can't solve this problem alone. We need our community partners, including the federal government, pulling in the same direction. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves with my mayoral and business leader counterparts and continuing this critical work for Durham and America."
Ted Wheeler
Mayor of Portland, OR
"As Portland continues to grow into a truly global city, housing is without question the single most important challenge we face. Housing connects people to employment, kids to schools, and families to institutions across our community. Safe, affordable housing allows families to do the one thing that families need to do more than anything else: spend time together. That is Portland’s and my top priority – and I will work to make sure it is a top priority for the federal government, too."
Vi Lyles
Mayor of Charlotte, NC
“Charlotte is a city with housing challenges that affect many sectors of our workforce. As Mayor of Charlotte, I am delighted to ‘roll up my sleeves’ with fellow mayors and CEOs across this country to work collaboratively to develop bipartisan affordable housing solutions that will promote opportunity and growth for all residents. By investing in diverse price point housing, we will ensure opportunities for upward economic mobility, while creating stronger neighborhoods and safer communities.”
Jon Nehring
Mayor of Marysville, WA
"While homelessness is a daunting issue, Marysville is a compassionate community, and we’re working hard to get our neighbors housed and to supply the services they need for their next chapter in life. I'm proud of our city’s thoughtful, multi-faceted approach over the past several years and grateful to the many community partners who also are working to help those in need of housing. But communities like Marysville can’t tackle what is a national problem alone, which is why I’m proud to join my fellow mayors from small towns and big cities alike to partner with the federal government to invest in turning the tide and getting more roofs over more people’s heads. I also welcome business’s role in this coalition; together we can find the right places to invest at the right time to effect real change."
Lily Mei
Mayor of Fremont, CA
"Every day, people ask me about homelessness and its increasing visibility in Fremont, as seen in the 2019 Point in Time Count conducted in the Bay Area and throughout the U.S. While there is no “silver-bullet” solution, we also know that we will not solve this complex issue by sitting on the sidelines, asking who or what is the answer. This is a societal issue – one that’s growing in Fremont and across the nation especially in recent years – and we need to forge the answer ourselves. Yet as Fremont, the state of California and other state and local governments across the country invest to turn this trend around, so must the federal government do its part, because no city or state can tackle this national crisis alone. On behalf of the residents of Fremont, I join Mayors & CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment with the goal of ensuring that all residents have the opportunity for a front door they can walk into, a roof over their head, an address where they can receive a paycheck, and a home where they can raise a family."
Rex Richardson
Mayor of Long Beach, CA
“Addressing the homelessness crisis impacting our cities and states requires thoughtful collaboration across all sectors and levels of government. Having strong public-private partnerships that help increase federal funding support will allow local communities to meaningfully expand affordable housing opportunities, prevent at-risk households from falling into homelessness, and ensure that all families have access to the safety and stability they deserve."
