The current pandemic has further highlighted our housing crisis and the lack of affordable housing in our County. We can't be so focused on the current emergency that we don't plan ahead in order to meet the needs of our residents for generations to come. That’s why I joined Councilmember Riemer last week in introducing Bill 29-20 to encourage transit-oriented development at Metro station sites.
Today, sprawling surface parking lots at Metro stations create holes that separate our community, when they should be providing vibrant hubs that connect our community. We can change that by providing a tax incentive to build housing where it’s most needed – and on publicly-owned land that currently generates no tax revenue. This initiative is about turning housing targets into actual housing units and ridership goals into actual transit riders. It's about building modern, sustainable, inclusive communities in true smart growth fashion. Few things would be more impactful to meeting our affordable housing, environmental, and economic development goals than maximizing transit-oriented development at Metro Stations.
Just as exciting, as a member of the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee, I have been actively involved in multiple proposals including a new Housing Production Fund and Purple Line Corridor Fund that will leverage up to $100 million towards our affordable housing goals. The Housing Production Fund, which was introduced last week, is a creative partnership with our local housing authority, the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC), to help accelerate projects in their development pipeline to create as many as 8,800 units of housing including units affordable to households earning 50% or less of area median income.
The Purple Line Corridor Fund is still being developed and discussed by the Council as a potential long-term financing option for nonprofit developers looking to purchase and preserve existing affordable units along the Purple Line.
Housing is fundamental to economic development and to building a thriving, inclusive community. We cannot meet our ambitious housing targets without big, bold ideas to deliver on the commitments we have made. That’s what these new housing initiatives are all about.
We know that making free testing for COVID-19 as accessible as possible is critical to protecting our residents. On Tuesday, the Council acted in our capacity as the County's Board of Health to adopt a resolution requiring expanded County-backed testing focused especially on the hardest-hit zip codes in the County. We also worked with County and Village of Friendship Heights officials to get free testing on July 8 in Friendship Heights and are pursuing additional opportunities in District 1.
There are a number of County-sponsored, State-sponsored, and privately-run testing operations ongoing throughout District 1 and Montgomery County. Check out this list that has compiled them all for more details and for how to sign up for a test if sign ups are required.
New Police Advisory Commission
Throughout this week, the Council will meet to conduct interviews for appointments to the County’s Policing Advisory Commission (PAC). The Council passed the legislation creating the PAC with unanimous support, and it was signed into law on December 12, 2019. Applications were accepted May 20 through June 19, and interviews began on July 13. Please click here to review the Council packet.
As the County continues to examine and evaluate law enforcement policy and practices, the PAC will serve as an essential tool in strengthening relations between the community and our law enforcement. The Commission should reflect the diversity of Montgomery County, including individuals of different ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, places of origin, religious creeds, age, sex - including on the basis of gender identity or orientation, disability, and geographic location, with emphasis on those disproportionately impacted by inequities. The Commission will advise the Council on policing matters, provide information regarding best practices, recommend policies, and engage in public education and other programs.
Our goal is to select a diverse group of capable and well-equipped community leaders to advise on the policies and best practices that will guide our County into the future.
Amending the County’s Use of Force Policy
A critical step in reforming law enforcement and improving community trust starts with addressing the Montgomery County Police Department’s Use of Force policy. As we have seen in the experiences of George Floyd and countless others across our nation, excessive force has played a clear-cut role leading to tragic and irreversible outcomes.
Expedited Bill 27-20, Police – Regulations – Use of Force Policy was introduced on Tuesday, June 16 at Council session. A public hearing was held on the evening of Tuesday, July 7, and the Council’s Public Safety committee met to amend and discuss the legislation on Thursday, July 9. You can find the committee work session packet here. Major discussion items include:
- High-Risk, No-Knock Warrants
- Neck Restraints and Carotid Restraints
- Use of Force, Involving Vehicles
- Striking Restrained Individuals
- Use of Force Against Fleeing Individuals
- Treatment of Certain Populations, Including Individuals with Disabilities
- Effects on Criminal & Civil Liability
- Less Lethal Force
- Exemption from Collective Bargaining
As your legislators, we understand that swift, thoughtful action is necessary to prevent the excessive use of force when law enforcement interacts with the public. A final vote is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21.
The Council is working at a feverish pace to get desperately needed relief funds out to our community, including rental assistance, mental health support to MCPS students, and funds to private primary care providers to help them keep their doors open. A brief summary of recent Council initiatives is below:
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$250,000 Mental Health Program to Support Schools: MCPS plans to implement a pilot program to provide mental health services to students based on referrals form school-based staff members. The pilot as originally proposed would have served roughly 270 students but with this additional investment from the Council, the program could serve closer to 540 students.
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$3 Million for Assistance to Community Clinics, Medical and Dental Practices: The COVID-19 health emergency required medical and dental practices, including community clinics and primary care, to stop non-emergency in-person visits, work to transition to telemedicine, and incur costs for protective equipment for emergency services and re-opening. Private outpatient practices now face substantial financial challenges because of a 3-month loss of revenue and a continued decline in patient visits. This special appropriation allocates $2 million for a competitive grant program for Montgomery County-based independent primary care medical and dental practices (maximum grant amount per practice is $50,000 and the application will be posted in the near future), $500,000 for a grant program for providers to expand telehealth and implement other innovations with a focus on reducing disproportionate health outcomes, and $500,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services to provide additional support to Montgomery Cares community clinics.
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$4.8 Million for Emergency Solutions Grant COVID-19: The federal government has awarded the County additional Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding as a part of the CARES Act. The Eviction Recovery Team under the County Executive will recommend the exact allocation in terms of funding that will go towards rental assistance, temporary shelter, rapid rehousing, and housing stabilization.
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$371,761 for Support Payment to Organizations Directly Serving Developmentally Disabled Persons: The Council approved $17.56 million in support payments to eligible organizations that provide direct services to people with developmental disabilities (DD Supplement) during budget deliberations. However, with six new eligible organizations, these additional funds were needed in order to accommodate adding these new providers to the program.
If you're a for-profit or nonprofit business that has taken steps to reopen with COVID precautions in place, the Reopen Montgomery program we spearheaded at the Council and that the County Executive branch is now preparing to launch may be able to help.
These reimbursements up to $5,000 for COVID-related reopening expenses including glass barriers, contactless payment systems, cleaning supplies, signage, and outdoor furniture will help our local businesses offset some of the costs of reopening safely.
The County Executive team that will administer this program expects to launch it by the end of the month. Please take the time to prepare now by seeing what information and documents you'll need to participate once the application period opens.
Please join us online this Friday July 17th at 11:00 AM to ask questions and share your thoughts with us. Click this graphic to join.
Montgomery County Recreation has opened its seven outdoor pools and three indoor aquatic centers as part of the County’s Phase 2 reopening plan. Pools are open to pass-holders only.
Outdoor pools are open for two-hour sessions of recreational swimming and indoor aquatic centers are open for lap swimming only. All swim sessions require a reservation. Reservations can be made online at www.ActiveMONTGOMERY.org. Instructions on how to reserve swim session can be found at www.mocorec.com/aquatics.
Among the special procedures in place for safety:
- All patrons two years old and over must use a face covering while on the pool deck, in common areas and when social distancing is not possible. Face coverings are not required when in the water.
- Family groups are asked to stay together. Individuals and family groups are asked to maintain at least six feet of social distancing from others at all times.
- Pool features including crossing features, saunas, hot tubs and the lazy river are closed. All wading pools—also known as baby pools or tot pools—remain closed.
Montgomery Parks has reopened with some restrictions its ice rinks, indoor tennis centers, the Wheaton Sports Pavilion and two event centers. The facilities are operating with limited capacity, physical distancing procedures, and face covering requirements. For more information click here.
MCPS
- The Board of Education discussed a draft Recovery of Education Plan on Tuesday afternoon. This plan outlines what the school year may look like including the possibility of students returning to schools on a rotational schedule for in-person learning with reduced class sizes and
reduced numbers of students in the buildings. Students could return to classrooms by grade level, last name/address, and cluster in phases over the first months of the school year. A final decision is expected in August.
- MCPS is providing meals at these sites for students. Meals will be provided at MCPS sites from 10 AM - 12 PM at school sites and from 9 AM - 10 AM at bus distribution sites. Meals will be provided four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesdays, MCPS will provide two days' worth of meals.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Reopened!
- In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners are able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. Recipients do not have to be approved for a loan in order to receive the advance, but the amount of the loan advance will be deducted from total loan eligibility.
Libraries
- Library branch book drops are open and on July 6th, contactless holds pick up service resumed. Learn more here.
COVID-19 Renter Relief Act
- The Council passed the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act, which became effective April 24, 2020 and prohibits landlords from increasing existing tenants’ rent by more than 2.6% after April 24th and during the COVID-19 catastrophic health emergency. FAQs are online.
Montgomery Cable Channel with COVID-19 Updates
- Montgomery County's public, education and government channels have launched a new Corona Montgomery channel, creating creates a direct communications channel to all residents, including those who don't have access to hi-speed internet and technology. It will air critical COVID-19 related information. The programming is available on channel 10 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN.
How You Can Help
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Support Neighborhood Restaurants: Please support local employers by getting take out or delivery. Search the Visit Montgomery list here.
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Volunteer Opportunities: The County has compiled a list on how you can to help. If you are a medical or public health professional willing to assist, the state has a site for specialized volunteers.
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Donate Blood: American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Sign up for an appointment now.
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Give Locally: The Greater Washington Community Foundation has started a COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to bolster nonprofits working to help low-income hourly workers, gig workers, small business owners, families in need of childcare services, homeless individuals and many more who will continue to be severely impacted during this public health emergency.
If You Need Support
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Domestic Violence: There is support available during this time and all services are free of charge. If you know someone that may need help, the County has a guide on how best to assist them.
- Contact the Family Justice Center by calling 240-773-0444 or emailing safe@montgomerycountymd.gov
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline (24 hours) can be reached at 800-799-7233
- There are many organizations available to assist including:
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Food Assistance: Call 311 and you will be connected to our new food call center or you can look at Montgomery County Food Council's Resource Directory, which includes information on the location, hours, and eligibility guidelines of more than 100 sites where residents can access food and benefits application assistance.
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Poolesville Grocery Distribution Service: Orders can be placed online by visiting www.mysaval.store/ Order on Tuesdays before 4:00PM and pickup Thursdays between 2:00-3:30PM at the United Methodist Church in Poolesville. Drivers are asked to remain in their cars as orders will be loaded into the backs of vehicles. If you have any questions please call John at 443-896-7244.
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Taxi Delivery: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) announced that it has partnered with local taxi companies during the COVID-19 health crisis to initiate a new program available to participants in the Call-n-Ride program to use taxis for delivery of essential goods from grocery stores, food banks and restaurants. This program is for low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities.
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For Individuals with Disabilities: The State and other partners are collaborating to supplement existing programs for people with disabilities who may be experiencing food insecurity during this pandemic. To connect with these feeding opportunities, constituents should call 2-1-1. The 2-1-1 call specialist will connect the caller to a variety of statewide program options.
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My Groceries To Go! for Seniors: Montgomery County applicants are required to provide supporting documentation to prove income eligibility. Participants receive get eight pounds of free, fresh produce every month. Please call the Grocery Plus main line at 202-921-7471 or email mg2g@capitalareafoodbank.org for more information. The Capital Area Food Bank's website on this program is here.
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Senior Nutrition Program: Frozen meal packs are available to seniors through the County’s Senior Nutrition Program. Partners and volunteers are operating “grab and go” locations and are making a limited number of home deliveries to the County’s senior population. To be eligible, most people must be 60 years of age or older. Spouses of participants or a person with a disability living with a participant, are also eligible. To register for the meal program contact the Senior Center closest to you. D1 Locations:
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Healthcare: If you do not have insurance and want to get health insurance through the state marketplace now, Maryland has a Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment period so that residents can enroll by July 15th (new date). You can compare prices and possibly receive financial help in order to afford coverage.
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Unemployment Claims: You can start your claim online or by phone.
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Housing Issues: Evictions related to this public health emergency are prohibited at this time, if you face housing or eviction issues, please contact our office at 240-777-7828 or dial 311.
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Federal Relief: This guide on federal programs outlines the benefits recently passed by Congress.
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Seniors: You can sign up now for a new free program called Senior Call Check by calling toll-free to 866-502-0560 or by registering online. Under the program, participants receive an automated call every day. If the participant does not answer, they will be called two additional times in the same day. If those calls go unanswered, an alternate person, selected by the participant, will be notified in order for them to check in on the participant.
*Additional resources listed at InfoMontgomery
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