Frederick County has announced its most comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment and Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. 
The study provides a clear roadmap to address the county’s growing housing challenges and ensure a more affordable, inclusive future for all residents.
From the county press release:
“Housing affordability is fundamentally connected to nearly every ingredient of a healthy community—economic development, public health, caring for our seniors, and more,” County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said today as she announced the findings. “This study is more than a report; it is a roadmap for building a Frederick County where everyone can live, work, and thrive.”
The Housing Needs Assessment and Affordable Housing Strategic Plan found that Frederick County faces a substantial housing gap. More than 20,000 households who earn $75,000 or less spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, which makes them cost-burdened. This represents nearly one in five households that are most susceptible to economic hardship and in need of a more affordable home. Looking ahead, the county will need 31,853 new housing units by 2035 to meet anticipated demand.
To address housing challenges, the strategic plan sets five key goals:
- Build more homes to meet current and future demand.
- Expand funding to support affordable housing.
- Preserve and maintain existing affordable housing.
- Update County policies to make it easier to build and keep affordable housing.
- Increase staffing and resources to manage housing programs.
