We are thrilled to present a special co-promotion episode, bringing you a fantastic discussion from the CitiesSpeak podcast, produced by the National League of Cities! Join CitiesSpeak host Clarence Anthony, CEO of the National League of Cities, for an insightful conversation with Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Mayor Bowser shares her compelling journey into public service, her motivations for leading her hometown, and the unique aspects of governing a district that operates as a city, county, and state. Discover the strategies that have fueled D.C.'s impressive growth, its achievement of an AAA bond rating, and its recognition as one of the nation's fastest-growing districts. The dialogue dives deep into the critical issue of housing, exploring D.C.'s ambitious goals for increasing housing supply, the paramount importance of affordability, and the essential role of public-private partnerships and federal support in creating livable cities for everyone.

Takeaways:

• Recognize the Importance of Local Leadership: Understand that effective leadership often starts at the local level. Mayor Bowser's journey from an advisory neighborhood commissioner to mayor highlights the impact one can have by focusing on community improvement from the ground up.
• Advocate for and Support Affordable Housing Initiatives: Realize that housing affordability is a critical issue for community growth and stability. Support policies and initiatives that aim to increase housing supply across the entire spectrum, from publicly provided to market-rate housing.
• Foster Public-Private Partnerships for Community Development: Effective community development, especially in housing, often requires collaboration between the public and private sectors. Encourage and support partnerships where the government can signal reliability and help fund gaps to attract private investment for essential projects.
• Understand the Federal Government's Role in Local Issues: Be aware of how federal policies and funding (e.g., for public housing, housing vouchers, infrastructure materials) impact local communities and advocate for federal actions that support local needs, such as ensuring affordable materials for housing construction.
• View Homeownership as a Path to Wealth Creation: Recognize the significance of homeownership as a primary means for many individuals and families to build wealth and achieve the American dream. Support programs that assist potential homeowners with down payments and credit repair.
• Engage in and Value Your Local Community: Take the time to know and appreciate your own city or town beyond its main attractions or stereotypes. Understanding the unique character of local neighborhoods contributes to a stronger sense of community and civic pride.
• Champion Sound Fiscal Management in Governance: Support and expect responsible financial stewardship from your local government, including balanced budgets and strategic investments that allow cities to grow and provide essential services like public safety, schools, and parks.

Quote of the Show:

• “I lead from my values, and my values tell me that people should have access to safe and affordable housing. And there’s a spectrum – all the way from publicly provided housing to market rate housing – and we need to make sure that there are policies in place to encourage production along the whole spectrum.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayorbowser/
• Website: https://mayor.dc.gov/