07/21/2026
*Affordable Housing is a Shared Responsibility*
🔑 As a real estate agent and a private landlord, I see housing from two sides—and I believe deeply that affordable, dignified housing matters. It can even be particularly challenging for those who don’t qualify for government assistance. I’ve been taken advantage of as a tenant with no options- that’s why I’ve chosen to approach my own rental property differently.
💰For me, this isn’t about quick profit. It’s a long-term investment, and my goal is simply to sustain it. I don’t make money from rent— it all goes directly toward the mortgage, maintenance, and repairs. That philosophy allows me to keep rents intentionally low, saving the tenants a couple hundred per month. It’s not a luxury building with all the latest upgrades, but it’s charming, safe, functional, and well-maintained—a place anyone could be proud to call home.
🏠 When this approach works, it’s a beautiful thing. I’ve had the privilege of providing hardworking, respectful tenants with a quality home at a price that doesn’t hurt. But it’s not without its challenges. Most recently, I spent thousands repairing damage left behind by a previous tenant—damage that could have been avoided with basic care and open communication.
🫱🏻🫲🏽That experience reinforced something important: affordable rent is a two-way street.
To my fellow landlords—especially private ones—I’d encourage you to remember that honest, hardworking people are struggling to stay afloat. A reduction of even $100–$200 a month can be a huge relief for people. You don’t have to be a charity, but you can be a steward of fairness.
And to tenants—please know that not all landlords are faceless corporations or slumlords looking to turn a quick buck. Many of us are working-class individuals too. This property was my first real estate purchase, and I’ve poured time, money, and heart into it. I can’t afford to fix everything that gets broken, and I shouldn’t have to. If you want below-market rent, I need partners who will treat the home with the same care I do—who will maintain their environment, report issues early, and leave the place as they found it.
🏆Affordable housing isn’t just about lower prices—it’s about mutual respect, transparency, and shared accountability. When we all do our part, everyone wins.
