Irving candidates differ on housing approach as city faces high renter share

Housing and affordability were recurring themes at the League of Women Voters forum. Candidates agreed the city needs more housing but differed on the best mix and the role of policy.

"We need more houses in general," Anthony Stanford said, describing demand as the main price driver. Matt Varble and other candidates emphasized apartment development as a practical route to affordable housing and said the city should consider using surplus or city-owned parcels to enable lower-cost development. Varble also mentioned property-tax relief approaches aimed at helping elderly residents remain in their homes.

Opposing that view, Paul Bertinzetti and Mark Kronenewet voiced concern about the concentration of apartments in some neighborhoods and urged protection for single-family homeowners. Kronenewet said District 5 already has a comparatively high share of multifamily units and advocated for more single-family construction and neighborhood amenities.

Heather Stroup highlighted existing local programs aimed at revitalization, home repairs and a city first-time-buyer grant of up to $20,000, and she urged assessing infrastructure capacity before approving new development.

Forum discussion did not include formal land-use votes or staff feasibility studies; candidates described options and priorities for council consideration if elected.