Affordability

Life is becoming increasingly unaffordable–from the prices at the gas station to the check out at the Ingles. Supporting Western North Carolinians ability to support themselves is what Suzanne sees as the solution for a stronger, more resilient community. 

In office Suzanne plans to tackle unaffordability by: 

• Making local housing accessible for working families 

• Increasing the affordability of childcare 

• Building long-lasting economic infrastructure to provide living wages and long term growth

Supporting working mountain families means making sure people can afford to live where they work. Not just access to more housing, but affordable housing, affordable childcare, and wages that allow families to meet basic needs without leaving the community they call home.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING 

In Western North Carolina, housing has become one of the biggest challenges facing working families. Teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, service workers, and young families are increasingly priced out of the communities where they work. Suzanne believes that housing policy should reflect the realities of rural mountain communities, rather than one-size-fits-all solutions designed for urban areas. 

When people can’t afford to live locally, schools struggle to hire, businesses lose workers, and families are forced to leave the mountains. 

AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE

Childcare should be treated as essential for Western North Carolinians, but it remains one of the biggest barriers to staying employed. When childcare is unavailable or unaffordable, parents—especially women—are forced to reduce hours, turn down jobs, or leave the workforce altogether.

Suzanne wants to advocate for supporting childcare providers and expanding access to affordable, high-quality care helps parents work, businesses keep employees, and communities remain strong. When children are taken care of and families have one more worry taken off their plates, they can focus on their communities and create growth that builds on itself.

ECONOMIC STABILITY & LIVING WAGES

A living wage is a basic human right and the people of Western North Carolina should have the dignity of getting adequately for their hard work. But it's not just about wages—it’s about keeping local businesses and communities strong. When wages don’t keep up with the cost of housing, childcare, and basic needs, workers leave the area, turnover increases, and small businesses struggle to stay staffed.

Suzanne believes that paying wages people can live on helps businesses retain experienced employees, reduces turnover costs, and strengthens the local economy. In rural communities, where the workforce is smaller and relationships matter, retention is especially important.