On Monday, the Planning, Housing and Parks Committee was briefed on Governor Wes Moore’s housing package that addresses affordable housing in Maryland. Montgomery County communities share the statewide housing challenges the legislation seeks to mitigate.
The housing package, proposed by Gov. Moore and approved by the General Assembly, hopes to drive new housing construction, reduce regulatory burdens, create long-term financial investments in low-income areas and assist renters.
“It’s not a secret that this has been a major priority of mine and the county,” County Council President Andrew Friedson said in his weekly briefing. “Affordable housing is a major challenge. It’s only getting more challenging in Montgomery County, across Maryland and frankly, throughout the country.”
Friedson stated that more than 52% of renters in Montgomery County are cost-burdened, meaning 30% or more of their wages is spent on housing-related costs.
Bills included in the housing package are the Housing Expansion and Affordability Act, which removes barriers to development that have contributed to the current housing supply shortage, and the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act, which protects Maryland renters experiencing housing instability.
The Governor’s package also contains legislation to allow and approve more housing near transit access centers.
“61% of Maryland voters supported [such] a state law,” Friedson said. “This is something that we’ve been trying to address at the local level, and I’m pleased to see that the governor has taken such an interest in it. Obviously, we feel strongly about the local government’s ability to address some of the details of these issues. We’ll continue to do our work at the Planning and Housing Parks Committee and the County Council. We’ll continue to move forward the Governor’s three bills.”
