Written By JR Robinson

Josh Mohundro doesn’t speak like a career politician, and that is exactly why District 7 is listening. With a background working for the Frayser CDC and hands-on experience in residential rehabilitation, Mohundro sees the Shelby County Commission not as a political stepping stone, but as a project management office for the people.

"I’m an outsider with an inside perspective," Mohundro says. "I’ve walked the streets, I’ve rehabbed the houses, and I’ve seen what happens when government funding actually hits the neighborhood. I’m tired of seeing the status quo. I want to bring clarity and accountability to how our tax dollars are used."

The Homeownership Offensive

Mohundro’s platform is built on a radical but common-sense idea: Memphis needs more owners and fewer renters. He points out that Memphis is currently 20% below the national average for homeownership. His strategy to fix the county budget isn't to raise property taxes on families, but to generate revenue by incentivizing ownership and taxing speculation.

"We have more renters than owners right now," Mohundro notes. "Why are we punishing the people who live here? I want to look at lowering taxes for homeowners while raising them for out-of-state investors and non-owner stakeholders. If you’re an out-of-state LLC renting out a house in District 7 and not maintaining it, you should pay a higher rate. That revenue can then stay in our city."

Solving the "Blight to Jobs" Puzzle

Mohundro sees a direct connection between the city’s blighted properties, the shortage of affordable housing, and the need for high-paying trade jobs. He proposes an ecosystem where blighted homes are used as training grounds for young Memphians entering carpentry, HVAC, and electrical trades.

"There is a massive lack of carpenters and HVAC techs," Mohundro explains. "We can use grant money to rehab these houses while putting our youth through trade schools like the Montessori programs or Frayser’s TLC. We can show people they can make a lot of money with their hands, building their own neighborhoods."

He also highlights the missed opportunity in public safety employment. "We are thousands short on officers. At 18 years old, you can start at the jail making $23 an hour with tuition reimbursement. Those are stabilizing jobs that we aren't talking about enough."

Accountability in the "Section 8" Market

One of Mohundro’s sharpest critiques is aimed at the exploitation of federal Section 8 funds by out-of-state stakeholders. He argues that many investors buy homes for $130,000 and flip them to other investors for $180,000 because government-subsidized rent is often higher than the local market rate.

"These are federal funds that should be staying in our city and benefiting our residents," says Mohundro. "Instead, we see neighborhoods crash because maintenance stops once the Section 8 check starts coming. If you aren't going to maintain the property, you should pay more to the county. It’s about holding those investment groups to a higher standard."

The "Boots on the Ground" Campaign

Mohundro isn't spending his time at high-dollar fundraisers. For the last three weeks, he has been spending 90 minutes a day knocking on doors in District 7. He is a lifelong Memphian who grew up in the town of Chickasaw and has lived in Frayser for years. He’s served as a volunteer chair for the Frayser BJ and is a veteran of the local CDC scene.

"I’m not a fan of these 'pay-to-play' endorsement ballots," Mohundro says. "I’m out here beating on every door. I want to be the person who connects neighbors together and makes sure they have access to the grants and government services they’re already paying for."

A Vision of Stability

In four years, Mohundro wants the success of his term to be measured by the stability of the neighborhoods. He wants to see more residents owning their homes, better local grocery stores, and a government that doesn't just "talk" about social services but actually delivers them with fiscal integrity.

"I want to make an impact on housing and make the right decisions with the funding we have," Mohundro concludes. "It’s about strategic investment. I’m doing my best, and I’m ready to push the county board to keep Memphis moving."