“More Housing N.O.W. represents the most consequential workforce housing proposal we have ever put forward in Montgomery County to provide more housing options where they’re most needed and most likely to be built, along corridors with access to jobs and amenities,” said Councilmember Friedson. “This comprehensive approach reflects the urgency of our housing shortage with a carefully crafted consensus that’s meaningful, significant, and will make a difference.” 

“I am beyond excited to lead this package of ambitious housing measures that will build more homes for the workers and their families in our county,” said Councilmember Fani-González. “Our county is getting less and less affordable to the working folks who, day in and day out, make our community go. We must act boldly to make our housing market work for more people. There is no time to wait.” 

After unprecedented levels of public outreach and several months of input and feedback from housing experts and community members, the More Housing N.O.W. package takes the following five bold steps: 

Focusing on strategies that provide the greatest opportunities to increase housing supply while ensuring access for the county workforce, the More Housing N.O.W. approach increases housing options on county corridors and does not propose any zoning changes within residential neighborhoods. The legislative package will be formally introduced on Tuesday, February 4. 

According to the Comptroller of Maryland’s 2024 State of the Economy Report, housing affordability and availability is hurting efforts to attract new residents who could fill job vacancies, noting “prospective businesses turning down potential location plans to Maryland due to insufficient workforce housing.” Between 2023 and 2024, the average sold price across all unit types increased by 6.5 percent, while wages have only increased by 1.5 percent with the average sale price for a single family detached home in Montgomery County reaching $1.02 million in 2024. 

Council President Kate Stewart, Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke, Marilyn Balcombe, and Laurie-Anne Sayles are co-sponsors of the package, and it has strong support from many community advocates and housing experts.

Announcing the package today in Rockville, MD, Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Natali Fani-González were joined by representatives and leaders from the education, public safety, healthcare, business, affordable housing, realtor, labor, faith, and community advocacy communities.  

The Council staff reports on the More Housing N.O.W. package will be available on the Council’s website on January 30.