#MACoCon Recap: County Solutions to Safeguard Local Communities

Counties are using practical tools, from housing coordination to legal support and smarter enforcement, to protect vulnerable residents and strengthen community stability.

The “County Solutions to Safeguard Local Communities” panel offered a grounded look at how counties are using their authority, partnerships, and data to protect vulnerable residents and strengthen community stability. Moderated by Senator Antonio Hayes, the panel highlighted county-led strategies to address family instability, housing insecurity, and exploitation, demonstrating how local governments are often the first line of response.

Title: County Solutions to Safeguard Local Communities

Speakers:

  • Alison Flores, Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Anne Arundel County
  • Victoria Venable, Director of Government Relations, Frederick County
  • Rose Burton, Deputy Director, Department of Housing and Community Development, Howard County

Moderator: The Honorable Antonio Hayes, Maryland State Senate

Alison Flores, Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs in Anne Arundel County, opened the discussion by describing the county’s Family Protection Initiative, a $300,000 investment designed to support residents impacted by immigration-related family separation. Flores detailed how the initiative pairs legal assistance with crisis support services, emphasizing education and preparedness as key tools. Through multilingual “Know Your Rights” workshops, employer outreach, and a resource guide available in seven languages, the county has worked to ensure families understand their options before a crisis occurs. Central to this effort is strong collaboration: Anne Arundel County partnered with the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County to establish a Family Protection Fund and convened nonprofits, faith leaders, and volunteers into a coordinated response network that can activate quickly when families are at risk.

The panel then shifted to housing stability, with Rose Burton, Deputy Director of the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development, outlining the county’s path toward “functional zero” homelessness. Functional zero is a point where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. Burton emphasized that progress depends on systemwide coordination, not isolated programs. Howard County aligns funding with data-driven priorities, uses coordinated entry to assess needs, and relies on partnerships spanning health services, workforce development, schools, law enforcement, and nonprofits. By tracking outcomes and continuously refining capacity, the county has seen consistent improvements in housing placements. It is now expanding its response with a first-ever non-congregate shelter that combines private rooms, diversion strategies, and rapid connections back to permanent housing.

Victoria Venable, Director of Government Relations for Frederick County, highlighted how the county is using local permitting, zoning, and code enforcement tools to combat human trafficking and exploitation. Venable described how Frederick County leverages its regulatory authority, including zoning verification letters, licensing requirements, and inspections, to identify red flags and close loopholes that can allow exploitation to go undetected. This approach is reinforced by strong interagency collaboration, including partnerships with law enforcement, the State’s Attorney’s Office, municipalities, and the business community. Education and compliance tracking have produced tangible results, with improved reporting and clearer accountability for lodging and other regulated establishments.

Whether protecting families from sudden separation, preventing homelessness before it escalates, or disrupting exploitation through smarter regulation, the panel illustrated how counties are innovating within their existing roles to deliver meaningful, resident-centered outcomes. These efforts underscore the essential role counties play in building safer, more resilient communities.

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