On February 10, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko testified before the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 85 – Corporations and Associations – Cooperative Limited Equity Housing Corporations – Establishment with amendments.

This bill establishes a process for converting certain entities into Cooperative Limited Equity Housing Corporations (CLEHCs).

Counties support a wide range of policies to expand affordable housing. CLEHCs operate similarly to condominium regimes and offer a unique ownership model designed to promote long-term affordability. MACo’s amendments would align local authority over CLEHCs with the existing framework that governs condominium regimes.

From MACo Testimony: 

In both 2024 and 2026, affirmatively furthering affordable housing was adopted as a top county priority and MACo initiative. Housing challenges are not confined to a single policy lane—they reflect a complex set of interrelated issues spanning equity, ownership models, land use, infrastructure capacity, and financing tools. Counties therefore support a broad range of “all-of-the-above” solutions across multiple portfolios of local government to expand Maryland’s housing supply and improve affordability.

More on MACo’s Advocacy: 

• Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2026 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
• Learn more about MACo’s 2026 Legislative Initiatives
• Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog