Issue Position: Housing

Issue Position

Safe, affordable, quality housing in Maryland is a cornerstone on which families and communities must be able to depend, but this is not the current reality. Almost fifty percent of Montgomery County's renters are housing cost burdened. Maryland's history of race- and class- based redlining, and exclusionary zoning have resulted in active disinvestment in many communities. Lorig will fight for policies that support affordable housing in vibrant diverse neighborhoods, connected to jobs that pay a living wage.

Maryland must increase the housing stock, with inclusionary zoning that ensures quality housing options for individuals with low and moderate incomes. Tax incentives allocated by the state, such as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, can help spur this local development. Furthermore, the Rehabilitative Tax Credit should be used to stave off the loss of current affordable housing, while improving its quality. State policies should widen housing options for families using Section 8 vouchers, by making it illegal for landlords to discriminate based on legal sources of income.

Community land trusts serve as a promising model for increasing affordable housing, both for rent and ownership, while ensuring that residents have real voice in the development of their communities. Maryland should increase investment in programs, such as the Maryland Mortgage Program, that support individuals with low and moderate incomes to purchase their first home; as well as programs that prevent foreclosure, whenever possible. Finally, Maryland should expand the Rental Allowance program to prevent homelessness and promote Housing First policies to address chronic homelessness in the state.

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