Montgomery County, Md. – At a briefing on Monday, Council President Natali Fani‑González warned that inflation is eroding purchasing power and could spark a fresh affordable‑housing crisis in the state’s largest county. She urged county leaders to accelerate efforts to create more affordable units for recent college graduates and families struggling to make ends meet.
Rising rents outpace wages
Data from Zillow’s Observed Rent Index show that, between January 2021 and January 2026, average rent in Montgomery County rose 24.3%. The council noted that many households now face rent bills of $3,000 a month, leaving $1,200‑$2,000 for childcare and other essential expenses.
Current affordability requirements
Under existing county policy, developers must set aside 15% of new apartment units as affordable housing. Over the past five years, the county’s Office of Legislative Oversight reported the production of roughly 1,600 affordable units. However, the council acknowledged that there is no specific target for how many additional units must be built or preserved to meet future demand.
Exploring new tools
Fani‑González said the council is examining a mix of tools, including office‑to‑housing conversions and “missing‑middle” rezoning that would allow higher‑density development in suitable neighborhoods. “We’re looking into neighborhoods where it makes sense to increase density, but it’s a mix of tools,” she explained.
Federal funding and regional goals
During the hearing, Councilman Andrew Friedsen expressed enthusiasm for upcoming discussions on a “housing 2.0” agenda, while Chuck Cook, senior advisor at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, emphasized the importance of federal resources. “More federal money is better,” Cook said.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments estimates the Washington‑DC‑Baltimore region will need 320,000 additional housing units by 2030, with a goal that 75% of those homes be affordable to low‑ and middle‑income households.
Next steps
The council plans to continue its review of zoning options and to seek additional state and federal funding to support affordable‑housing projects. Council President Fani‑González stressed the urgency of acting now to prevent families from being priced out of the county.
Stakeholders and residents are invited to submit comments on proposed zoning changes at the next public hearing scheduled for later this month.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
