“Housing affordability is among the top issues facing Montgomery County and will be a primary focus of the newly established Planning, Housing and Parks Committee,” Chair Friedson said. “This data-driven panel discussion will offer a deep dive into the cost and rent burdens and overall economics of this critical and complicated issue and will help serve as a foundation for future policy discussions.” 

The panel will cover topics including the economics of affordable housing, market rate housing and a discussion surrounding rent burden and rent relief. Panelists will include leaders from County agencies, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), nonprofits, including AHC, Montgomery Housing Partnership, Renters Alliance and PolicyLink, and the private sector, including Stonebridge Real Estate, EYA, Southern Management Companies and the Small Multifamily Owners Association. 

The members of the PH Committee aim to connect data, context and conversation with a variety of stakeholders to guide future policymaking around the affordability of rental housing. The committee plans to subsequently delve into additional critical housing matters, including home ownership programs, and the Housing Initiative Fund and Housing Production Fund, the county’s primary financing vehicles to subsidize affordable housing projects.

The PH Committee will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.