In a significant move to address the affordable housing crisis, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed a new piece of legislation aimed at enhancing the availability of affordable rental housing across the state. This law grants county authorities the ability to mandate that property owners offer a greater proportion of rental units as affordable housing than previously stipulated by law.

Legislative Background

Proposed by Delegate Marc Korman (D) in January, this legislation has seen a favorable reception from various affordable housing advocacy groups throughout Maryland and beyond during committee testimonies held over the past several months. Out of a total of 25 testimonies submitted for the House version, only one was deemed “unfavorable,” originating from a private citizen. Similarly, for the Senate iteration, which garnered 36 testimonies, only four were marked unfavorable, none of which were formally documented.

Support from Key Advocates

Despite not receiving immediate comments from either Governor Moore’s office or the bill’s chief House sponsor, Delegate Korman, there has been strong support from legislators involved in the process. Senator Shelly Hettleman, the chief Senate sponsor, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the bill’s enactment. “I’m very pleased the governor signed the bill into law yesterday and am optimistic that it can be a useful tool for our local governments in their efforts to expand our desperately-needed stock of attainable housing,” she stated in an interview.

Implications for Affordable Housing Development

The signing of this bill was also highlighted by Janine Lind, president of the nonprofit multifamily developer Enterprise Community Development. In her statement, she emphasized the law’s potential to serve as a robust tool for both preserving and expanding affordable housing: “Today’s bill signing unlocks a powerful tool for preserving and expanding affordable housing across Maryland,” Lind remarked. She noted that the legislation streamlines eligibility for the Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program, which has been crucial in facilitating affordable housing initiatives.

Looking Ahead

Enterprise Community Development manages more than 13,000 housing units across the Mid-Atlantic region, and Lind reiterated the importance of this new law in light of the ongoing challenges presented by rising property costs and housing demand. She concluded with gratitude towards Delegate Korman and Governor Moore: “We’re grateful to Delegate Korman and Gov. Moore for advancing this game-changing legislation, and we look forward to leveraging this opportunity to create more homes Maryland residents can afford.”