In a unanimous decision, the county Planning Board approved the Attainable Housing Strategies Report for transmittal to the county council during its June 13 meeting.
This approval followed the 11th and final work session dedicated to refining the report. Minor adjustments were made, including updates to the document’s language for clarity.
The project recommends zoning changes to allow “Missing Middle Housing,” which includes duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and small apartment buildings. These structures, while compatible in scale with single-family homes, offer multiple housing unit options.
With this decision, Montgomery County became one of the first jurisdictions in Maryland to open single-family neighborhoods to diversified housing options. The approval marks a pivotal step forward in addressing the pressing housing shortage in Montgomery County.
The Planning Board emphasized that these measures are not mandates but provide property owners with flexible options for various housing types, from family homes to small apartments.
Harris highlighted the urgency of building housing at a faster rate to keep pace with the county’s growth. Currently, many residents are migrating to more affordable jurisdictions.
“It’s not theoretical, it’s a real problem,” Planning Board Chair Artie Harris said.
Looking ahead, the Planning Board plans to do regular check-ins to assess the effectiveness of these measures. Adjustments will be made as necessary to ensure the strategies meet the evolving needs of the community.
Visit the Attainable Housing Strategies website to learn more about the initiative.
