🏘️ Affordable Housing in Rochester: A Crisis We Must Confront

By Chiara | Candidate for Rochester City Council

Affordable housing is not just a talking point—it's a lifeline. In Rochester, families are working harder than ever, yet finding a safe, stable place to live is becoming increasingly out of reach. As your future City Council representative, I’m committed to fighting for policies that ensure housing is a human right, not a privilege.

📈 The Reality: Rochester’s Affordable Housing Crisis

Rochester is in the middle of a housing emergency—and the data proves it:

• Soaring Rents: According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, fair market rent in Rochester jumped nearly 10% for one-bedroom apartments between 2024 and 2025. That’s a major burden on working families.

  
  

• Rising Homelessness: The 2024 Point-in-Time count showed 1,056 people experiencing homelessness, a sharp increase from 803 in 2023. Even more alarming: families with children experiencing homelessness skyrocketed from 109 to 421 in just one year.👉 Source: 13WHAM News

  
  

• Homeownership Out of Reach: The median home sales price in Monroe County hit $249,000 in mid-2024—a 10.1% increase over the previous year. That’s simply unaffordable for many in our community.👉 Source: Greater Rochester Association of Realtors

  
  

• Cost-Burdened Renters: Over 56,000 households now spend more than 30% of their income on rent—a threshold that defines financial strain.👉 Source: Rochester Beacon

  
  

🏗️ What’s Being Done—and Where We Can Do More

City and state leaders have begun responding with new programs and proposals:

• True North Apartments: A new $38 million, 70-unit affordable and supportive housing development is under construction on Rochester’s northeast side. Half of the units will serve people who have experienced homelessness, with on-site supportive services.👉 Source: NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

  
  

• Buy the Block Program: This initiative builds and subsidizes new owner-occupied homes to help families stay in their neighborhoods. The goal? Keep housing costs at or below 30% of income.👉 Source: City of Rochester Housing Report – Jan 2024

  
  

• New Affordable Rental Housing RFP: Rochester recently issued a Request for Proposals to encourage the creation of more affordable rental housing through tax incentives and financial support for developers.👉 City of Rochester 2024 Housing RFP

  
  

🔑 Chiara’s Plan: Affordable Housing for All

If elected to City Council, I will fight for:

✅ Increased investment in deeply affordable housing for households earning below 50% of the area median income (AMI).

✅ Expansion of tenant protections, including right-to-counsel for renters facing eviction

✅ Incentives and streamlined processes for developers who build truly affordable units..

✅ Partnering with non-profits to provide supportive housing for families, veterans, and seniors

✅ Building community land trusts to ensure long-term affordability and neighborhood stability.

💬 Your Voice Matters

Affordable housing touches every part of our lives—from health to education to economic opportunity. As a city, we need to tackle this crisis with bold action and community-driven solutions. Together, we can build a Rochester where everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.

Join our movement. Vote Chiara for Rochester City Council. Let's build a better future, one home at a time.