The MDOT and DHCD Secretaries recently signed an agreement to accelerate the state’s transit, economic development, housing, and climate goals.
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day and Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld signed a memorandum of understanding to advance Maryland’s transit, economic development, housing, and climate goals. The agreement will help make Maryland more affordable by prioritizing the two departments’ resources and capacities to accelerate the development that catalyzes dense, mixed-use, and mixed-income development within a half-mile of transit stations, also known as transit-oriented development. This effort is also a critical component of Maryland meeting its climate goals.
According to the press release:
“Supporting the development of dense housing around transit is critical to addressing our state’s housing shortage of over 96,000 units,” said Secretary Day. “We know that progress doesn’t come without partnership. Through this agreement, we’re making firm our commitment to collaboration with our partners at the Maryland Department of Transportation in addressing the housing shortage and fostering economic vitality for communities across the state.”
“This partnership is a win-win for Maryland families as transit-oriented development will help lower the costs of housing while increasing access and ridership to transit,” said Secretary Wiedefeld. “Secretary Day and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development are tremendous teammates with helping to expand affordable housing across the state. The expansion of transit-oriented development will also support the Moore-Miller Administration’s goal to grow the state’s economy and make Maryland more competitive.”
The interagency agreement formalizes an existing partnership and a commitment to collaboration on efforts to create more affordable housing near transit stations. It specifies areas for collaboration between the two departments, including legislative proposals, application development and funding consideration, housing and transit advocacy and partner outreach. Specifically, it gives priority to transit adjacent sites and MDOT joint development projects in funding programs that the Department of Housing and Community Development oversees. That means more housing, particularly affordable housing, where it is needed most – next to high-quality transit assets.
Under the agreement, the Departments will work together to evaluate potential joint development opportunities at MDOT transit stations, and advance projects that will spur economic development around transit stops and create more housing opportunities for Marylanders. The agencies will coordinate on legislative proposals to advance the transit-oriented development efforts and collaborate in the application for federal funding.
