Affordability and Cost of Living

Even in a strong economy, too many people feel stretched thin. Childcare costs more than college tuition. Housing prices and rents remain out of reach for many first-time buyers and young people. Everyday expenses, like groceries and electricity, have climbed to record highs that strain even careful budgets.

To Chandler, affordability is not an abstract policy debate. It shows up in whether parents can both work, whether someone can stay in the community they love, and whether the weekly grocery store trip goes far enough, let alone leaves room to save.

We should start tackling this crisis by focusing on the biggest pressure points Housing and Childcare. 

On Housing, Chandler will fight to deliver the following solutions:

1. Zoning for more starter homes and mixed-income developments in high-demand areas and near transit.
2. Eliminating unnecessary fees and duplicative reviews and permitting requirements.
3. Meaningful down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers.
4. Stronger tenant protections against predatory rent increases.
5. Partnerships with local builders to fast-track affordable unit permitting.

Chandler will fight to make it faster, easier and cheaper to build new housing. 

On Childcare, Chandler will fight for more affordable childcare by

1. Delivering Universal Pre-K so families can start their kids in public school an entire year earlier, saving families in the 45th tens of thousands of dollars in one year. 
2. Expanding childcare capacity so more childcare slots are available 
3. Delivering additional workforce support so families have more options and more predictable costs.

On groceries and utilities, Chandler will:

1. Fight corporate consolidation that would eliminate competition and increase the cost of everyday items. 
2. Fight for targeted sales tax relief on essential items. 
3. Fight exorbitant utility rate hikes that aren't justified by actual need.
4. Make sure that Washingtonians aren't paying the price for big tech building out data centers. 

Everyone should feel that their hard work leads to stability, not constant pressure.

Every policy decision should pass a simple test: does this make it easier or harder for people to build a stable future here?