Gabrielle Dunai

nonpartisan

Families need flexibility to manage the demands of work and home. I will advocate for local employers to adopt family-friendly policies like paid leave, flexible schedules, and remote work options, helping parents stay employed and present with their children.

I believe safety starts with strong relationships. That means listening to residents, elevating youth voices, and building public safety strategies alongside the people most affected. I’ll support regular community safety forums, increased transparency in budgeting, and accessible reporting on safety outcomes..

I will advocate for local investment in mobile crisis units and community partnerships that bring trauma-informed care directly to where people live and learn..

I believe policies work best when shaped by the people most affected. As a survivor and advocate who has worked in housing navigation and direct service, I’ll ensure that community voices—especially those of low-income families, survivors, and seniors—are at the table when decisions are made.

I will work to strengthen public-private partnerships that empower these organizations to build and maintain truly affordable housing and prioritize equitable access—especially for Black, Latinx, and low-income families disproportionately affected by housing discrimination.

We must actively support the creation of housing that meets the needs of middle-income and working-class residents. This includes townhomes, duplexes, and smaller-scale rental options. I support initiatives like The Landings project—and want to expand similar models with strong community input.

I’ll advocate for co-responder models that include social workers and mental health professionals—especially for youth and those in emotional distress..

Living wages, job training, and career development matter. I will promote workforce development programs, small business support, and equitable hiring practices that help families build financial stability and economic mobility.

I will publish regular updates and performance reports on key issues—like housing development, community safety, and local spending—so residents can track progress and hold me accountable..

Getting to work, school, and child care shouldn’t be a daily struggle. I will support investments in safe, reliable transportation options and infrastructure improvements that make commuting easier and safer for families throughout Ward 1 and the city of Hudsonville.

We need stronger tenant protections, eviction diversion programs, and access to emergency rental assistance for those facing housing insecurity. I will support local countywide initiatives that stabilize families before they’re forced into crisis.

Government information should be easy to access and understand. I will advocate for plain-language communications and ensure meeting updates, policy proposals, and public decisions are shared in real time through multiple platforms so ALL Ward 1 citizens are able to be informed..

We must modernize zoning laws to allow for more flexible, mixed-income housing options. I will advocate for inclusionary zoning, streamlined permitting for affordable housing, and the removal of unnecessary regulatory barriers that delay development or favor large-scale, high-cost construction.

Parenting can be isolating and overwhelming. I will work to build community resources—such as parenting groups, mental health supports, and family resource centers—that connect families to the help, education, and peer networks they need to flourish..

I will champion expanded funding for shelters, legal support, housing access, and culturally competent services—so survivors aren’t just protected, they’re empowered. As a local leader and advocate, I’ll also work to ensure prevention education reaches every corner of our community..

I will push for participatory budgeting tools and community advisory boards—especially for issues like public safety, housing,infrastructure enhancement, and youth engagement—so residents have a direct voice in how resources are spent and priorities are set..

I will hold regular community listening sessions—both in-person and virtually—so residents can share concerns, ideas, and lived experiences that guide my decisions. You shouldn’t need connections or credentials to be heard.