May 23, 2019

County Executive Outlines Continuing Efforts to Address Housing Affordability


Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich outlined several plans to improve housing for County residents. Those include: helping tenants transition to homeownership; preserving affordable housing; protecting tenant access to housing after their building is renovated; helping people with low and middle incomes; and, helping address financially-strained condominium communities.

These efforts come in addition to the County’s ongoing work to improve housing code enforcement at multifamily apartment buildings. That two-year inspection surge is wrapping up, to be followed by regular inspections at all properties, including more frequent (annual) inspections at “troubled properties.”

Elrich made his remarks at the Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County, an annual gathering that addresses housing policies and programs held on Friday, May 17 in North Bethesda.

Elrich also gave the Housing Partnership Award to Ken Holt, Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development. And, he congratulated the family who won the “Break the Barrier to Homeownership” Award.

Also at the Conference, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen commended Montgomery County for leveraging federal affordable housing dollars to achieve good progress on its housing agenda - including declaring an end to veterans’ homelessness. And, he said we must keep working together to expand affordable housing and help overcome the legacy of discrimination.