“I have certainly experienced housing insecurity,” she said.
As incumbent mayor, Janey said she could provide millions for rent relief and foreclosure prevention during the pandemic.
Campbell also said she grew up in public housing in the city before becoming a homeowner, an experience that shaped her views.
“Everything in my apartment plan is about breaking the cycle” and helping others find homes, she said.
Barros said Boston has lost a significant portion of its black population over the past decade because they were lifted out of the city.
“Boston is way too expensive for too many of our families,” he said. “Many of us know neighbors who cannot stay.”
Wu said living is more than a place to live. She said it was also critical to the health of individuals and neighborhoods.
“Housing is the foundation of our recovery,” she said.
Essaibi George said the city must guarantee that it will do everything in its power to ensure that future generations can call Boston home, especially to help those who hope to be the first in their families buy a house.
“We need to build more affordable housing and home ways,” she said, adding that the city also needs to focus on creating affordable rental units.