Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for Overland Park mayor to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.

Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to Overland Park residents.

Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.

Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:

Housing: Many factors driving Johnson County’s tight and expensive housing market are out of local cities’ control, yet there are some things cities can do to try to address this issue, from incentivizing affordable housing developments to tweaking zoning codes that allow for more diverse types of housing. What policies would you like your city to pursue to make housing in your city potentially more affordable? Is this a priority for you?

Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:

Faris Farassati

Did not provide the Post with a response.

Curt Skoog (incumbent)

As Mayor, I was proud to lead the development of FrameworkOP, Overland Park’s long-term, community-driven vision for the future. This strategic plan reflects thousands of voices from across our city and lays out a roadmap for building an innovative and successful community. At its core, ForwardOP calls for thoughtful growth, expanded housing options, and a commitment to ensuring Overland Park remains a place where everyone can thrive.

Housing affordability is a key priority within that vision. While many factors driving our region’s tight housing market are beyond local control, cities like Overland Park can take meaningful steps.

This issue is personal to me. We want our teachers, police officers, and firefighters to be able to live in the community they serve. We want longtime residents to age in place, and young families to find a home here. By aligning our housing policies with the goals of ForwardOP, we can ensure Overland Park remains a place we can all be happy to call home.