About the only thing all sides agreed upon during 2024 is that Montgomery County has a large affordable housing problem. How that will be solved continues to be debated by county councilmembers, the county executive, the planning board and residents.
County officials hope to add 41,000 new units by 2030.
Under the planning commission’s Thrive 2050 plan, some of the new units will be for middle housing. Duplexes, triplexes and townhomes would be constructed in areas currently zoned for single family detached homes.
Many residents have attended multiple county meetings to express their dislike, but county planners consider this the way to deal with the housing problem, which they consider a lack of attainable housing as opposed to a lack of affordable housing.
County Executive Marc Elrich isn’t an advocate, noting, “Ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s a wage problem” more than a lack of housing problem, he said. About 50,000 residents are spending at least half their income on housing. “That’s a lot of people in that box,” he said.
What the county’s park and planning officials want will not create more affordable housing, Elrich said.
Developments currently underway that include affordable housing units are helping, he said, adding, “We have a huge hill to climb.”
Councilmembers insist there is not enough housing being built to keep up with the county’s growth and what is available tends to be too expensive for many people. As a result, both current and prospective residents are looking outside Montgomery County to live.
Earlier this year, they approved a zoning measure that allows houses of worship to build affordable housing on their land. The goal is to make it easier to build affordable housing and provide flexibility in development standards for multi-unit and townhouse living on places of worship and educational institutions.
Council Discusses Bill That Aims to Increase Access to Affordable Housing
