Maryland lawmakers engaged in a robust discussion on Friday during a Senate Committee Hearing regarding the proposed Housing Expansion and Affordability Act, a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at addressing housing supply issues and fostering affordability across the state.
Spearheaded by Governor Wes Moore, the legislation represents a cornerstone of his housing priorities, aiming to incentivize affordable housing initiatives while streamlining the building process to facilitate homeownership for Marylanders.
“By working together to pass this bill, we will incentivize new housing that is affordable, we will streamline the building process and we will make it easier for Marylanders to become homeowners,” Governor Moore affirmed, underscoring the bill’s potential to drive positive change in the state’s housing landscape.\
According to the Governor’s office, the Housing Expansion and Affordability Act seeks to modernize land use laws and expedite approval processes for transit-oriented development, housing on former state-owned complexes, and projects by nonprofit organizations, provided they meet specified affordability criteria. Additionally, the bill offers incentives for development projects by allowing greater density under certain conditions.
During the hearing for Senate Bill 484, advocates of the legislation emphasized its prudent measures to mitigate adverse impacts on communities, assuring minimal disruption.
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However, not all voices are in harmony with the proposed legislation. In Baltimore County, residents expressed concerns over the potential strain that higher-density development could exert on existing infrastructure. At a public meeting convened by the Republican Women of Baltimore County, attendees voiced apprehensions regarding the bill’s implications, particularly its impact on roads, schools, and other public facilities.
Baltimore County Council member David Marks articulated these concerns, stating, “My biggest concerns are that we’re going to be very faultlessly impacting roads and schools and other public facilities without appropriate planning. I am mortified frankly, by what I see from the state of Maryland. We should be doing nothing to take away the local government’s ability to regulate those things.”
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As deliberations continue, the Housing Expansion and Affordability Act remains a focal point in Maryland’s efforts to address housing challenges while balancing community interests and infrastructure considerations.