Born and Raised

  Rental Security in Healdsburg Renters in Healdsburg are exposed to a tremendous amount of anxiety. All around them they see properties being improved by their owners and resold in an effort to take part in Healdsburg’s lucrative real estate market. Many times, renters have lost their homes and were forced to look for new rentals, often in another town, in an increasingly unaffordable market. The discussion about affordable housing really exploded in Healdsburg around 2015, though the problem’s roots go back much further. During that time, the City Council heard from hundreds of residents being forced to leave their hometown to find an affordable place to live. Developing new affordable rental housing has been a priority for the city ever since and inventory is increasing. However, we are not seeing a corresponding leveling in rents in existing rental homes and apartments. This may be because the influx of new, wealthy residents seem willing to pay anything to live in Healdsburg

​ ECONOMIC DIVERSITY AND SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES As I am fond of telling folks, my father Jack ran his pharmacy inside of a large retail space and sold a wide variety of consumer goods. His business was right on the Plaza and before his retirement, he moved to the Mitchell Center. His store was a real meeting place, bustling with residents, visiting and shopping. My work life is different from Dad’s. I have helped manage a small, retail, largely-online, store that sells supplies to guitar makers. The business started in Healdsburg and we moved to Windsor a few years back. I have been at Luthiers Mercantile for 25 years and I am proud of the reputation I have within the stringed instrument industry. I mention this to make one thing clear. I am a friend of small business.  Goals: An economic diversity program in Healdsburg should:  Encourage entrepreneurial opportunities in such a way that we see an increase in businesses that serve the needs of Healdsburg residents.  Re