At the MACo Winter Conference, counties dug deep into results-driven solutions to Maryland’s affordable housing challenges.
The 2024 legislative session was deemed the “Session of Housing,” with the General Assembly considering a historic number of pro-growth bills. The Governor’s housing package proved to be the main driver of legislative change, with state density bonuses and other significant changes. MACo also advanced a historic number of housing bills, including an initiative housing package that sought to tackle vacancies and short-term rentals, along with other tools to help counties address community housing needs.
The Honorable Vaughn Stewart, MD House of Delegates, led the conversation and moderated an informative Q&A at the Housing on the Horizon: Progress and the Path Forward general session at the 2024 MACo Winter Conference.
@jacobrday talks about how 2024 was the #SessionOfHousing and the need to address the demand for affordable housing. pic.twitter.com/1rWs4e636q
— Dominic J. Butchko (@DomButchko_MACo) December 11, 2024
Panel speakers included:
- The Honorable Jake Day, Secretary, Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development
- Jason Sartori, Planning Director, Montgomery County
- Lori Graf, CEO, Maryland Building Industry Association
- The Honorable Odette Ramos, Council Member, Baltimore City
- Owen Bailey, Director of Land Use and Policy, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy
Secretary Day covered the ongoing implementation of last session’s historic housing package and teased at a forthcoming new set of housing bills from the Governor.
Lori Graf discussed what MBIA views as the six points to focus on: excessive regulation, local zoning, permitting roadblocks, impact fees and taxes, building codes, and promoting trade skills.
Owen Bailey talked about how density can improve efficiency and increase land values in rural communities and how density should be encouraged in urban spaces.
Jason Sartori discussed the historic housing challenges in Montgomery County, underlying that affordability has become more challenging since the turn of the century. County officials are rolling out a series of policy priorities to increase production and keep residents in the county.
Odette Ramos discussed Baltimore City’s work to revitalize its stock of vacant housing units, focusing on multi-level partnerships between the government and the private sector to reinvigorate certain sections of the city.
More about MACo’s Winter Conference:
