San Joaquin Messenger: Thank you for speaking with us. To start, how do you define “affordability” for residents of San Joaquin County?
Steve Ding: For me affordability means people can pay the bills, raise a family, and plan for the future without being one emergency away from losing their home or business. It’s housing people can afford, utilities that don’t cripple a paycheck, and a local economy that actually creates steady jobs — not just temporary fixes.
San Joaquin Messenger: Housing costs are a top concern for young people. What specific steps would you support at the county level to make housing more affordable for renters and first‑time buyers?
Steve Ding: First, we have to stop treating housing like a mystery and start doing the basics right: speed up permitting for sensible infill and accessory dwelling units, partner with cities to increase the supply of workforce housing near jobs, and work with local nonprofits and developers on small‑scale projects that serve teachers, nurses, and young families. The county can also use discretionary funds and land‑use levers to incentivize projects that include affordable units rather than waiting for big, slow programs to trickle down.
San Joaquin Messenger: Some argue that regulations protect communities; others say they drive up costs. Where do you land?
Steve Ding: I’m a believer in smart regulation — not more regulation for its own sake. Rules should protect safety and quality, not create unnecessary red tape that increases costs and holds projects up for years. We should audit permitting and fee structures to find what’s adding time and cost without improving outcomes, then fix it.
San Joaquin Messenger: Utility and water costs are part of affordability. You have federal experience on water issues and you run a local business. How does that shape your approach to managing water affordability?
Steve Ding: Water is life for our region — for homes, farms, and businesses. We need to protect supply and infrastructure while being mindful of costs. That means investing in system repairs to avoid expensive emergency fixes, pursuing grant funding so ratepayers aren’t stuck with the full bill, and pushing for regional solutions that stabilize supply long term. My federal experience gave me a sense of how funding and policy interact; my work running a business taught me that unpredictable bills sink small operations and families alike.
San Joaquin Messenger: Small businesses say rising costs — rent, wages, utilities — are squeezing them. What can the county do to help small business affordability?
Steve Ding: Keep the local economy healthy by cutting unnecessary fees, offering targeted support for startups and micro‑businesses, and creating a streamlined one‑stop for small business assistance. We can do microgrants, low‑interest loans, and mentorship programs through partnerships with chambers and community colleges so entrepreneurs can grow without getting buried under compliance expenses. And when we talk procurement, the county should prioritize local small businesses where it makes sense.
San Joaquin Messenger: Young voters often want bold, structural solutions — rent control, large public housing investments, universal basic income. What’s your view of those approaches?
Steve Ding: I respect creative ideas, but policy has to actually work in our community. Rent control can sound attractive, but it can reduce supply if not designed carefully. Large public housing is helpful where funded and managed well, but it’s expensive and slow. I prefer pragmatic, local solutions that increase supply and protect the most vulnerable — vouchers, targeted subsidies, and incentives for builders to include workforce units — while keeping an eye on unintended consequences.
San Joaquin Messenger: How do you plan to involve young people in shaping affordability policies?
Steve Ding: We need to bring young people into advisory roles, host listening sessions at places they already gather, and run youth‑focused policy labs where students and young workers propose solutions and county staff help test feasibility. We should also communicate policy in plain language — no bureaucratic jargon — and let young leaders help co‑design pilot programs. Accessibility and real input will turn apathy into engagement.
San Joaquin Messenger: Critics say “common sense” is vague. How does your “common sense” approach translate into measurable outcomes on affordability?
Steve Ding: “Common sense” means measurable results: fewer days for permit approvals, a pipeline of X workforce housing units in Y years, reduced certification costs for small businesses, or a certain percentage of grant dollars delivered to low‑income households. We set clear benchmarks, report progress publicly, and adjust when something isn’t working. That’s how you turn a slogan into real improvements for people in their wallets.
San Joaquin Messenger: Anything you want to add about balancing county budgets while pursuing affordability measures?
Steve Ding: Balancing budgets and making things affordable aren’t mutually exclusive. Smart prioritization, chasing outside funding, and removing waste get you a lot of room to act. We should also focus on investments that reduce long‑term costs — preventative infrastructure work, job training that reduces dependency, and partnerships that leverage private dollars for public benefit. I’ll always push for transparency, so residents know where the money goes and what it delivers.
San Joaquin Messenger: Thank you. If residents want to follow your work or submit ideas on affordability, how can they reach you?
Steve Ding: I encourage people to come by the restaurant, attend a town hall, email my office, or just drop a comment on social. I try to keep things straightforward and listen — that’s how we find practical solutions together.
