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I am not surprised but very disappointed to see the quotes from County Executive @Marc_Elrich at today’s #HANDAM19 affordable housing conference. I strongly disagree with his statements. I’ve heard them before. A thread:
Montgomery County is a special place because we have a generous spirit and a strong sense of the public good. We care about the world we live in and we want to work together to create opportunity and a better world.
“Missing middle” housing needs are REAL. Despite Elrich’s comment that middle income housing is plentiful, the middle class is very squeezed. The Elrich policy of saying NO to everything will only worsen our affordability problems and make it harder for us to be our best.
How are we going to grow a strong economy if working families can’t afford to live here? Why shouldn’t we build housing so that a lab tech or a gov employee can afford to live here? Why does he keep saying that only people at 30% of AMI have any legitimate problem?
Missing middle housing is specifically intended to create more affordable housing types. For example, Accessory Dwelling Units or ADUs. Unfortunately Elrich is actively whipping up opposition, even calling ADUs “trailers.”
One quote isn’t totally clear, but seems like Elrich is dismissing benefit of new buildings with 30% of the units set aside in our MPDU affordable program since the other 70% are market rate (“luxury” he says).
Our MPDU program is a national model that builds economic integration into new development. It’s one of the few tools to get affordable units in the most expensive areas where they create the most opportunity. And many MPDUs are available to those at 30% of AMI with vouchers.
As for that “zoning thing,” plans for zoning that require new development to create even more affordable housing are also on his NO list: Lyttonsville, Bethesda, Chevy Chase Lake, & Veirs Mill. All included substantial affordable housing components in public private partnership.
And in his first budget as County Executive, he proposed cutting the County’s Housing Initiative Fund by $5m, where we provide loans for affordable housing. Fortunately the Council restored those funds.
Marc's views on housing don't represent a consensus in Montgomery County.
