Issues
Phillip Hawkins wants to collaborate with all community members and leaders to bring “Equity, Access, and Opportunity” to Superward 7 and the City of Norfolk by making the following issues Norfolk’s TOP Priorities:
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Public Saftey
Phillip feels that in order for all who live, work, learn, play, come to Norfolk for business, entertainment, and tourism to thrive, they must first feel safe! Phillip’s number one priority is to work with all community members and is committed to supporting Norfolk’s law enforcement officers and partners to continue to recruit and retain the best to serve our communities! Phillip will support partnerships with non- profit organizations and utilizing the latest crime prevention technology and passing local ordinances to help reduce and eliminate crime, especially preventing domestic gun violence.
Affordable Quality Housing for All
One of the greatest challenges facing all our citizens and families is the rising cost of housing in Norfolk! As of May 2024, the average listing home price in Norfolk was $330,000, which is trending up at a rate of 1.5% year-to year! Many families and individuals are now facing housing insecurity. Norfolk leaders must ensure that everyone can access affordable quality housing options and opportunities. Phillip wants to ensure that City enhances the amenities with our existing neighborhoods, build more affordable and transitional housing communities,
help the unhoused and unsheltered populations in the City, and create a variety of quality housing options in our mixed use and commercial development corridors through the City.
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Greater Funding and Equity for Public Education
Phillip is a proud graduate of Norview High School and now an educator in Norfolk Public Schools. Phillip has served the children of Norfolk for twenty-seven years
as a teacher, grade level/department chair, a member of the instructional leadership team, local union President of the Education Association of Norfolk (EAN), and now an Assistant Principal in Norfolk Public Schools. Phillip has worked tirelessly to ensure that every student receives the best education for future success no matter what! Phillip has publicly advocated for all Norfolk Schools for many years and now wants the City Council to focus on providing greater funding for Norfolk Public Schools resources for our students, supporting Career and technical Education (CTE) career opportunities, recruiting and retaining the best staff, and increasing
the capital improvement budget to re-build and maintain our aging school facilities.
Economic Development
Phillip understands the important role that the City of Norfolk plays in supporting the local and regional economy in the Hampton Roads area and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Phillips supports supporting a vibrant downtown area, a Military Circle and MacArthur Center redevelopment projects that will support housing and business, entertainment a with large corporate businesses and small and minority or woman owned businesses and non-profit organizations and attracting visitors to choose Norfolk for vacations, tourism, dining, retail and family entertainment. The City must reimagine how to plan and develop the City to support pedestrians cyclist and other multimodal and reliable transportation options that support access to jobs centers, recreation, health, wellness, commerce and economic growth across the City and region. Phillip firmly believes that Norfolk must continue to diversify our local economy in order to increase tax revenue to support core services, while keeping taxes and fees low for our citizens and visitors who come to celebrate the arts and culture of the City. Phillip understands that housing, education, and higher paying jobs will be critical in attracting and retaining young families to make Norfolk their home or their place to work or play.
