For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 31, 2023—Members of the Planning, Housing and Parks (PH) Committee, which is led by Chair Andrew Friedson, and includes Councilmembers Natali Fani-González and Will Jawando, will host a press conference on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the enactment and anticipated impacts of Bill 33-22 - Capital Improvements Program – Affordable Housing Feasibility Study – Required.
Bill 33-22 strengthens the requirement for the Executive branch to assess the viability of colocating affordable housing with new or significantly renovated county-owned land or facilities. Specifically, it requires the Montgomery County Department of General Services to conduct and submit to the Council for review an affordable housing feasibility study prior to the completion of facility planning, development of the program of requirements, site selection, or land acquisition. The establishment of this checkpoint increases transparency and allows for the examination of all available information and data, not only by the Council but also by Montgomery County residents.
“Closing the affordable housing gap is critical to our County’s economic well-being and quality of life,” said Council Vice President Friedson. “With regional estimates projecting we need to double the amount of affordable housing produced annually, we have no time to waste. It is high time we work together to provide quality affordable housing in desirable locations—next to community amenities, with access to transportation—to close our affordable housing gap with dignified housing.”
What: Press conference on the enactment of Bill 33-22 - Capital Improvements Program – Affordable Housing Feasibility Study – Required.
Who: Montgomery County Council Vice President Andrew Friedson, Councilmember Natali Fani-González, Council President Evan Glass, Stewart Schwartz, executive director and founder, Coalition for Smarter Growth, Dan Reed, regional policy director of Greater Greater Washington and Jane Lyons-Raeder, steering committee member of Montgomery for All.
When: Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Montgomery County Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville Md., fourth floor, Capital Crescent Trail Conference Room.
Parking is available in the public parking garage at the Council Office Building and can be accessed via the entrance located directly off East Jefferson Street. Metered on-street parking is also available on Monroe St. and on Maryland Ave. near the Montgomery County Circuit Court. Please allow time to park and go through security.