Boston's newest city councilor shares his vision for Roxbury

Rev. Miniard Culpepper was elected to represent District 7 on the Boston City Council, according to unofficial results.

In the role, he says he will strive to be a “role model” as Roxbury’s representative. The neighborhood has gone without council representation since July, when Tania Fernandes Anderson resigned after pleading guilty to corruption charges.

In an interview with WBUR’s Morning Edition, Culpepper shared how he plans to approach housing affordability, addiction and his relationship with Mayor Michelle Wu.

Highlights from this interview have been lightly edited for clarity.

On restoring trust after Fernandes Anderson’s scandal:

“ As a pastor of a church, you have to have a life that is going to be looked at very closely– a life that folks will look up to as a role model.

“So I come to District 7, and I'll continue to lead the way I've been leading. I don't think I have to modify anything.”

On the most pressing concern he heard from voters during his campaign:

“ Housing was the top issue. I understand housing. … I've already put forth some housing proposals. One of them is called ‘gentrification neutralization,’ and it's really based on homeownership. Someone with a Section 8 certificate — they’re renting now — most folks don't realize they can use that Section 8 certificate to buy a home."

“Can you imagine the number of folks that are renting who don't know they can buy a home with Section 8? They'll no longer be at the whims of a landlord. They'll be paying their own mortgage.”

On addressing drug use and homelessness issues around the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard:

“ That's been a big issue during the campaign. I see the City Council, several weeks ago, passed [a resolution in support of] what they call a ‘recovery campus.’ Other states and other cities call it a ‘care campus.’

“I think you need a care campus in order to treat folks. I think it's very difficult to treat them when they're out on the street. I would support them going back to [the shuttered addiction treatment campus on] Long Island.”

On his relationship with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu:

“We've got a great relationship. In fact, the mayor was the one who called me last night and told me I had won. My team was still putting the numbers together, but she called me and she gave me numbers that looked good. So, we’ve got a good relationship.

“We can disagree and we can agree to disagree, but we can also work together to bring developments and resources to District 7. We've already decided we're going to do that.”