debt-to-income
Littleton Mayoral Candidate's Comments on Housing Draw Scrutiny
LITTLETON, CO — Mayoral candidate and current City Council member Patrick Driscoll is facing criticism following remarks he made during a recent City Council study session on housing and transportation. Driscoll's comments, which came in response to a presentation revealing that more than half of Littleton residents are "cost-burdened" by housing, are being called out for their lack of empathy and a troubling disconnect from the financial realities facing many residents.
According to a presentation given to the City Council, 52% of Littleton residents spend more than 30% of their income on housing, with one in four spending over 50%. Experts widely agree that housing costs exceeding 30% of income make it difficult for families to afford essential expenses like food and healthcare.
During the session, however, Driscoll suggested that spending half your income on housing isn't a burden. He also claimed that government guidelines allow for debt-to-income (DTI) ratios up to 50%. This is incorrect; most homebuyers are capped at 36% DTI, and 50% is extremely rare.
Tamsen Sear, a District 2 resident, voiced her concern about Driscoll's comments. "Council Member Driscoll’s comments lack empathy for those in lower income brackets," she said. "The fact that a mortgage broker (a position traditionally seen as having fiduciary responsibility to clients) is recommending borrowers go up to 50% of their gross income on a mortgage alone is irresponsible, unwise, and serves only his own financial interest."
Driscoll's remarks didn't end there. He also told residents to "stop traveling the world" and make sacrifices to afford a home. This comment ignores the financial struggles of the majority of Littleton families—61% of whom earn $100,000 or less, according to census data. Many of these families are already juggling rising costs for basic necessities.
District 2 resident Keely Quinn reacted to the comments, stating, “It’s frustrating that Driscoll seems to think owning a home should be enough to keep someone content, even if they can’t afford to travel or seek experiences beyond it. A house shouldn’t be a trade-off for a full life. Stability shouldn’t mean settling for less.”
Perhaps Driscoll's most criticized comment was his suggestion that those struggling to afford housing should "look at Trinidad, Colorado." Trinidad is a small town nearly four hours away, and critics say this remark is a deflection from addressing the city's affordability crisis.
"Councilman Driscoll is out of touch with reality," said Kaia Friedli, a mother of two from District 3. "His suggestions are absolutely impractical. I am working hard to afford rent full time on a single income. Right now, buying a home in Littleton is simply unattainable for me, and so many others who love this community."
The comments have raised questions about how Driscoll would approach the city's housing challenges if elected mayor.
