Platform
Housing Affordability
Kiam firmly believes that housing is a human right and the city must do everything it can to ensure our community members aren’t struggling with housing insecurity. Abundant, diverse, and affordable housing options enable young people to stay here, aging seniors to remain in place, and businesses to hire locally and better serve the community.
Rent Stabilization & Tenant Protections
Corporate investment in housing is actively pricing out long-standing community members. Our housing market should provide much-needed housing for the city, not be used as an asset for investors to extract wealth from the community.
Kiam will continue his fight for rent stabilization in Easthampton, engaging with stakeholders (including tenants and landlords) across the city to officially petition the state for home rule power while simultaneously advocating for statewide legislative action. He will also support efforts to preserve affordable housing through city ownership.
Housing Assistance
Renters facing a sudden housing crisis should be able to count on their city to have their backs. Kiam will work to create a permanent emergency rental assistance program to help at-risk residents stay in their homes. He will also expand city support for first-time homebuyer education and down payment assistance programs to help young families access homeownership.
Residential Zoning Reforms
Building on his work with the Easthampton Affordable and Fair Housing Partnership, leading the development of a Zoning Ordinance Recommendations Report, Kiam will continue to find ways our zoning can support additional housing while being mindful of our infrastructure and water resources.
Read more about the current Zoning Ordinance Recommendations under consideration.
Community Resilience
We must be prepared for the challenges we know are coming, from a changing climate to unstable federal and state funding. Kiam will ensure that climate and economic resilience are key priorities, alongside a commitment to fighting for the well-being of our most vulnerable community members.
Climate Resilience
Kiam is deeply concerned about the potential impacts of climate change on our community, and is committed to building local resilience. He will work to achieve the goals outlined in the Easthampton Climate Action Plan, including implementation of the pollinator action plan, investment in green stormwater management, and development of ordinance for native plants and wetland protection.
Economic Resilience
As funding for social safety net programs becomes uncertain, we must be prepared as a community to support people when other systems fail. Kiam will work with local organizations doing critical work, like the Easthampton Community Center and Easthampton Neighbors, to ensure community members are taken care of in their time of need.
Community Well-being
Kiam believes that local government has a responsibility to stand for dignity, equity, and human rights, both at home and beyond. Even at the municipal level, we must confront structural injustice and discrimination, whether in housing, public health, education, or community safety. Kiam is committed to uplifting voices in Easthampton that have too often been ignored, including Black, brown, immigrant, and LGBTQIA+ residents.
He will prioritize inclusive policymaking that centers those most impacted by systemic injustice, and advocate for initiatives that build public safety through a broader lens of community well-being, with expanded mental health resources, more youth programming, and well-funded public schools.
Sustainable Development
Our growth and development into the future should reflect our community values and meet the challenges brought on by our changing climate. Kiam will work alongside the other committed advocates in the community to encourage smart land use, increase transportation options, and support businesses in adopting sustainable practices.
Land Use & Conservation
The best way to preserve open space is to incentivize compact mixed-use development directly tied to land conservation. Kiam will support and prioritize projects that include local land trusts with protected open space and recognized wildlife habitat.
Transportation & Mobility
Kiam will advocate for additional biking infrastructure, such as bike parking, bike lanes, and improved wayfinding to help make biking a safe option for more Easthampton residents. He will also work alongside other councilors and the city to explore collaborating with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) to expand public transportation services and increase ridership, as described in the Easthampton Climate Action Plan.
Supporting Sustainable Business Practices
Kiam will work to establish a plan that supports local restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses in switching to green energy, buying locally sourced inputs, and reducing their food waste.