I am Shana Fulcher. I am running for the Takoma Park City Council in Ward 1. Join our campaign to support affordable housing, homeownership equity, green infrastructure, and transparent, accountable government.
Expanding housing choices and preservation tax credits. Helping multi-family building owners and non-profits reinvest in and maintain affordable units.
Housing platform details →Creating clear pathways for Ward 1 working families, single parents, and new immigrants to secure the stability and safety that homeownership programs bring.
Equitable policies →Investing in pedestrian and transit infrastructure, preserving canopy under local tree codes, and securing stormwater system improvements in Sligo Creek and Belle Ziegler Park.
Infrastructure details →As a teenager, I aspired to live in Takoma Park. I viewed the City as an extremely cool place where people, often artists, didn't just embrace their progressive values but flaunted them. I first moved to Takoma Park in 2000, and to Ward 1 in 2009. Here, I live with my husband and three of our children who attend public schools, with our oldest now in college.
I feel fortunate to walk from my home to local schools, public transportation, neighborhood businesses, and Montgomery College. However, I often miss the diversity among neighbors that I experienced while growing up, as single parents and new immigrant families do not live on my block as much as they once did. I believe that with greater density and supportive housing programs, Takoma Park can move toward being the diverse, inclusive City that reflects our values, while aligning with the national goal to build environmentally sustainable communities.
I have a deep understanding and appreciation of the stability, security, and social standing that homeownership programs provide to families. My single mother bought our first home through one of these programs. That experience shaped my perspective, and I am deeply committed to positioning Takoma Park residents to experience the generational benefits that homeownership brings.
My philosophy is simple: "Leave a place better than you found it." I am proud of the work I accomplished representing Ward 1 on the Takoma Park City Council from November 2022 to November 2024. During my tenure on the Council, I enjoyed working collaboratively to support my colleagues, listening to diverse viewpoints, and finding sensible compromises to better our City.
Beyond municipal governance, I serve as the **Executive Director of Takoma Park Lunch & Learn** (since 2025), a local non-profit dedicated to preventing summer learning loss and ensuring food security by providing free meals and educational support in math, reading, and science for underserved youth.
I have also represented the City on regional boards, including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board and the Maryland Municipal League Montgomery County Chapter Board, working collaboratively on transportation and sustainable infrastructure priorities.
My vision for Takoma Park focuses on progressive housing models, community infrastructure, and regional collaboration.
We must expand affordable housing options and encourage new rental housing creation. I support creating targeted **Housing Preservation Tax Credits** and **Rental Housing Tax Credits** to incentivize developers and non-profits to invest in multifamily structures in Takoma Park. These credits make securing commercial bank financing feasible for developers and protect existing affordable units under deed restrictions.
Homeownership is the single most powerful driver of household wealth accumulation and family stability. Having grown up in a house purchased through a housing assistance program, I know this firsthand. I am committed to positioning our city to expand programs that help first-time buyers, single parents, and new immigrant families purchase and stay in their homes.
Our municipal services must keep pace with our environmental values. I support investing in stormwater management (meeting 50% treatment on existing surfaces and 100% on new), restoring the **Metro Branch Trail** for hikers and bikers along Fenton Avenue, maintaining our local tree canopy, and replacing our aging police and public works fleets with hybrid or electric vehicles as supply chains permit.
Ward 1's local needs are connected to regional resources. Drawing on my past representation on the **Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board** and the **Maryland Municipal League Board**, I will continue to work with county and state agencies to ensure Takoma Park secures regional funding for road maintenance, pedestrian safety humps (such as Westmoreland Avenue), and emergency bridge repairs.
A democratic city requires informed residents. I believe in sending detailed, regular council meeting reports and summaries to Ward 1 residents to keep them updated on budget forums, city nomination caucuses, and local ordinances. By providing direct, searchable updates (which you can browse on this site), I ensure the community remains engaged.
Stay informed. Search and browse my historical notes, legislative analysis, and updates from City Council proceedings and community events.
Whether by hosting a yard sign, emailing neighbors, or door knocking, your support keeps our campaign moving forward. Sign up below.
Have a question about my platform or want to share a concern? Reach out anytime.
