Toledo Mayor Sworn in for Historic Third Term, Prioritizes Housing in Next Four Years

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Toledo Mayor Begins Historic Third Term

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz has officially taken the oath to serve a historic third term as mayor of the city. This milestone comes after voters in 2024 approved an initiative that allows mayors to serve up to three terms. Kapszukiewicz secured his position in the 2025 mayoral election, marking a significant moment in the city's political history.

During his tenure, the mayor has focused on several key areas, including public safety and economic development. However, one of his primary goals for the next term is to address the growing need for housing in the city. According to surveys, many residents express a desire to live in Toledo, but the availability of housing remains a challenge.

Kapszukiewicz emphasized that the upcoming years will see a substantial increase in housing units. A major factor in this plan is the launch of the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) in 2025. This initiative is supported by a long-term partnership with Rossford, which will provide funding over the next 35 years. The CIC is designed to acquire, sell, and transform vacant and underutilized land into viable housing options.

"The funding stream associated with the CIC will be able to be used to not only acquire the land, but to clean it up for the housing that we need," he said. "We have tools that we didn't have at this time last year."

Public Safety Progress and Challenges

While the mayor acknowledges that there is still work to be done in the area of public safety, he pointed out that the initiatives already implemented are showing positive results. Crime statistics from the past year indicate a downward trend in most categories, with the exception of homicides.

In 2025, there were 38 homicides, matching the number from 2024. However, when looking at data from the past four years, there has been a consistent decrease in crime across all other categories. Kapszukiewicz attributed this progress to efforts such as expanding the police force and implementing youth programming.

He also highlighted that many of the homicides in 2025 involved individuals under the age of 20. To address this issue, the mayor plans to continue investing in early intervention and grassroots programs aimed at younger residents. He believes that providing more job opportunities, engaging activities, and targeted support for young people will lead to better outcomes.

"The more we provide opportunities for jobs, positive activities, early intervention and investment in young people, we are going to see better results," he said. "That is certainly one of the reasons our crime numbers have gone down over the last four years."

Future Goals and Continued Efforts

As Kapszukiewicz begins his third term, his focus remains on building upon the progress made so far. With the launch of the CIC and continued efforts in public safety, the mayor is confident that Toledo will continue to move forward in a positive direction.

His commitment to addressing housing needs, supporting youth development, and improving public safety reflects a vision for a stronger and more vibrant city. As the community looks ahead, the mayor's leadership is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of Toledo.