Robin Kniech
As the first openly gay Denver City Council member representing all of Denver “At-large,” I represent a thriving community that also faces significant challenges. Access to affordable housing is a top concern, and I have led Council’s efforts to address it.
As the cost of housing gobbles up more and more of our income, the diversity of our city slowly diminishes. We are losing the authenticity of our neighborhoods and middle- and low-income residents, including gay seniors like those who meet monthly at The Center, are being left behind.
I have been working with city leaders, affordable housing advocates, and developers to find solutions. There are no simple and quick answers; this takes hard work and persistent effort. Last August, I passed an ordinance that leveraged some of Denver’s incredible growth to build more affordable housing. I led the effort to secure local dollars for Denver to create a $10 million revolving loan fund to build affordable homes. But I am still fighting every day to find more ways to create more affordability.
In some cases, we need to tackle the issue development by development. In 2014, I brought developers and city leaders together to create 68 units of affordable housing near Union Station. Hundreds of affordable apartments and homes will be built-in projects at the old St. Anthony’s and CU Hospital sites. Right now, I’m leading research into sources of annual funding Denver could dedicate to affordable housing. I hope to see this investment implemented in a second term.
Lots of candidates talk about addressing the housing issue. I have achieved actual results.
As we do more to bring affordable housing to Denver, we also need to ensure access to childcare, education, and jobs. As a lesbian mom of a young son, when I was first elected, I saw first hand the hardships faced by families with limited access to child care, to libraries due to restricted hours, or to recreation centers due to cost. Many gay youth and community members searching for jobs also suffered, because they rely on libraries for computers and internet. That is why I worked to support the Mayor’s development of Issue 2A, which was overwhelmingly passed by Denver voters in 2012. Issue 2A helped free up investments in libraries, child care, after-school programs and hiring new police officers — protection and services for all Denver families, including those in our community.
Our city plays a key role in ensuring low- and moderate-income families have access to the tools they need to find opportunities and succeed. Maximizing and growing those opportunities is my pledge to you. Denver City Council is not a part-time job for me; it’s a much more than full-time commitment to continue to take on big challenges and shape Denver’s future for you.
Ballots are in the mail now. You can vote for two candidates for the City Council At-Large seat. Contact me at RobinForCouncil.com with your feedback andideas.
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