Some of my favorite memories growing up are small, ordinary moments that stuck with me for life. Also, my mother doesn’t let me forget them. One of them came from watching The Incredible Hulk on television when I was about three years old. I loved the show, but when Dr. Banner started to transform, I’d run out of the living room, heart racing, and watch from around the corner.
Even then, I was brave enough to be curious, but cautious too.
That’s how a lot of issues feel today, especially housing and property taxes. They’re big, complex, and sometimes intimidating to talk about. But if we stay curious, if we lean in with empathy and proceed with caution and care, we can move forward. We can solve hard problems together.
Right now, housing affordability and rising property taxes are kitchen-table issues in Galveston. They affect retirees on fixed incomes, young families just getting started, teachers, hospitality workers, first responders, and people who keep this city running every day. A city isn’t thriving if the people who love it can’t afford to live there.
Property values across the island have risen sharply, driven in part by tourism demand, short-term rentals, and outside investment. While that growth can be positive for the economy, it also puts pressure on residents. When appraised values rise, tax bills often follow, and for many households, that increase is frightening and unsustainable.
We can’t ignore that reality.
Galveston already has some tools that help, like homestead exemptions, over-65 and disabled exemptions, and tax rate decisions made by the City Council and other taxing entities. These measures provide relief, but for many residents, they don’t fully offset the pace of rising costs. We need to keep looking for ways to protect longtime residents and ensure new families can put down roots here.
Affordable housing is a critical part of that solution. When I say “affordable,” I’m not talking about low-quality or isolated developments. I’m talking about thoughtful, well-designed housing options for the people who serve our community every day, our teachers, healthcare workers, hospitality staff, city employees, first responders, and young professionals who want to build a life here.
There are real, practical steps Galveston can potentially take:
- Work with developers to streamline permitting and reduce red tape for projects that include workforce or mixed-income housing. Time is money in development, and faster, more predictable processes lower costs that can be passed on to residents.
- Offer incentives for repurposing older or underutilized structures into multi-family or mixed-use housing. Adaptive reuse can preserve Galveston’s character while adding much-needed housing supply.
- Encourage zoning and land-use policies that allow for gentle density, such as duplexes, townhomes, and small apartment buildings, in appropriate areas. More options mean more attainable price points.
We also need to think about the balance between tourism development and resident stability. Tourism is vital to Galveston’s economy, but it should not come at the expense of the people who call this island home year-round. Smart land-use planning can ensure that new projects support both visitors and residents, with grocery options, neighborhood services, and housing that meets local needs.
When I think back to that little kid peeking around the corner at the TV, I see something that still matters today. Some problems are scary. Some are complicated. But being curious, being compassionate, and moving forward thoughtfully is how we make progress.
Housing affordability and property taxes are real issues. They’re about whether a senior can stay in the home they’ve lived in for decades. Whether a young family can buy their first home. Whether a teacher or police officer can live in the community they serve.
I want Galveston to be a place where people can visit, invest, and enjoy, but also a place where residents can stay, grow, and thrive. That requires empathy, smart policy, and the courage to tackle complex challenges with clear eyes and steady hands.
If we approach these issues with curiosity and caution, just like that kid watching The Incredible Hulk, we can build solutions that are fair, practical, and rooted in care for our neighbors.
Because a city isn’t thriving if its residents can’t afford to stay. And I’m committed to making sure Galveston remains a place where families, seniors, and workers can continue to call home.