At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees participated in a robust conversation on Maryland’s housing outlook.
County governments play a vital role in shaping the look, smell, and feel of our communities. As the level of government closest to residents, counties have been at the table — working proactively with state leaders and stakeholders to advance practical, locally informed solutions that increase housing production. However, amid a national affordable housing crisis, state-level proposals increasingly favor top-down solutions. At this Winter Conference panel, county officials had candid conversations on areas of improvement, where conflicting state priorities lead to bad outcomes, and the importance of preserving a community’s role and voice in the land use conversation.
Senator Malcolm Augustine led the conversation and moderated an informative Q&A at the “Housing at the Crossroads: Local Challenges in a Changing Landscape” opening session at the MACo Winter Conference.
Panel speakers included:
- Scott Gottbreht, Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development
- Andy Winkler, Managing Director of Housing & Infrastructure, Bipartisan Policy Center
- Amy Moredock, Planning Director, Queen Anne’s County
- Mike Wilkins, Director of Development Review and Planning, Frederick County
- Kim Rubens, Chief of Policy & Research, Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development
@Sen_M_Augustine is moderating a PACKED panel on affordable housing at #MACoCon https://t.co/ylkefn5Wgk pic.twitter.com/fLOvuQPGwd
— Dominic J. Butchko (@DomButchko_MACo) December 10, 2025
Andy Winkler brought a DC/National perspective. What happens (or doesn’t) in DC and other states will significantly impact Maryland’s housing market.
Queen Anne’s County Planning Director Amy Moredock discussed the unique challenges facing rural counties. Lacking sewer infrastructure, environmental regulations, and costly sprinkler requirements largely hinder rural development.
Frederick County’s Director of Development Review and Planning, Mike Wilkins, touched on challenges coming from the fastest-growing county in the state. A major challenge is the underutilized zoning capacity and the inability of free markets to support multifamily development.
Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development’s Chief of Policy & Research, Kim Rubens, honed in on the city’s work to address vacancy. Unile other jurisdictions, the city has an existing housing stock which could easily be made affordable with adequate investment. The city has been moving aggressively to eliminate and rehabilitate the surplus of vacant units.
More About MACo’s Winter Conference:
