HOUSING ISSUES
Building Safe, Affordable Homes for Every Family
Christal Watson's HOUSING POLICY
Every person deserves a secure, stable place to call home. Yet too many families spend half their income on rent or face the threat of eviction. Christal believes housing is a basic right-and that strong, affordable neighborhoods are the foundation for healthy schools, thriving small businesses, and safer streets.
Christal is committed to policies that
Expand affordable housing options- Protect renters
- Help first-time buyers achieve homeownership
In support creative public-private partnerships, streamlined zoning, and fair lending practices.
In public service, Christal has worked to:
- Secure funding for affordable housing initiatives that help working families and seniors stay in their neighborhoods.
- Promote tenant protections to prevent unfair evictions and stabilize rents.
- Advance workforce housing programs so teachers, nurses, and first responders can live in the communities they serve.
- Champion green, climate-resilient construction to lower energy costs and prepare homes for severe weather.
Challenges & Barriers
Policy & regulatory constraints
Restrictive land use laws, complex approvals, lack of incentives for affordable housing.
Land scarcity and cost
In many cities, usable land is expensive or controlled by vested interests.
Funding gaps and dependency
Insufficient budgets, donor fatigue, and project delays hamper scale, making it difficult to maintain momentum or move successful.
Lack of technical capacity
Local bodies or communities may lack expertise in resilient construction, planning, or implementation.
Resistance & NIMBY-ism
In some areas, communities oppose affordable housing or slum upgrading projects nearby.
Information & data deficits
Informal areas often lack maps, documentation, or formal recognition, complicating planning.
Vulnerability to shocks
Natural disasters, pandemics, economic downturns disproportionately affect the housing-vulnerable.
What Christal Will Do
Pilot & demonstration projects
Build or upgrade a small number of homes using innovative, scalable designs to inspire replication.
Community capacity building
Train residents in construction, maintenance, governance, disaster preparedness.
Policy advocacy & legal reforms
Engage with local, state, national governments to propose better laws, incentives, and protections.
Partnership building
Collaborate with government, financial institutions, developers, NGOs, and community groups.
Monitoring & impact evaluation
Track outcomes (e.g. reduction in evictions, improved health, incomes) and share learning.
Awareness & campaigns
Use storytelling, media, and public engagement to shift mindsets about affordable housing.
Emergency response & transitional shelter
In disasters or crises, provide temporary housing while supporting transitions to permanent homes.
Campaign in The News
May 29, 2025
Mayoral candidate Christal Watson hopes to revitalize Kansas City, Kansas, in more ways than one
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Augest 06, 2025
KCK mayoral candidate Christal Watson discusses winning primary election
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Augest 06, 2025
Wyandotte County voters chose 2 women to run for mayor of Kansas City, Kansas. See primary results
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