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Expanding Opportunities for Homeownership
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
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Dear Friends,
We know that homeownership boosts net worth over time, allowing homeowners to pass that wealth onto future generations.
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Throughout history, significant segments of our population have been denied these benefits. In 2022, the homeownership rate for white households was 75 percent compared to 45 percent for Black households, 48 percent for Hispanic households, and 57 percent for non-Hispanic households of any other race. The Black-white homeownership gap was the same in 2020 as it was in 1970. |
 Click above to learn more about the Tenant Assistance and Protection Package
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I was proud to work with Council Vice President Andrew Friedson and Councilmembers Natali Fani-Gonzalez, Marilyn Balcombe, Gabe Albornoz, and Sidney Katz to dedicate $4.5 million of leftover COVID relief funds for affordable housing toward direct down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers and accessibility upgrades for low-income homeowners.
This support, which the Council unanimously approved yesterday, will expand the work our County and nonprofit partners are already doing to address the homeownership gap and retrofit homes so seniors and those with differing abilities can stay in their homes. It's one part of the Tenant Assistance and Protection Package we introduced in March, which also includes anti-rent gouging protections and an additional $18 million in rental assistance.
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Airpark Community Advisory Committee
Providing a forum for community members, Airpark users, and other stakeholders to address noise and safety impacts
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Yesterday, we introduced legislation to establish an Airpark Community Advisory Committee (ACAC) for neighbors of the Montgomery County Airpark (MCA), Airpark users, and other key stakeholders to address facility operations as well as noise and safety impacts. District 7 includes the MCA and adjacent communities and noise complaints have increased over the last three years according to an Office of Legislative Oversight report.
The Airpark is important to our local economy. It also is situated near local neighborhoods and businesses that deserve a regular and open forum to learn about flight operations, work with MCA and Airpark users to better understand the benefits and impacts of facility improvements, and dialogue with air traffic regulators including the Federal Aviation Administration.
A County report commissioned last year in partnership with the Airpark points to the need to establish such a group, which is common at airports around the country and that the County used to have until the Airpark Liaison Committee was dissolved in 2021. I'm looking forward to getting this new group started and thankful to co-sponsors Council President Evan Glass and Councilmembers Will Jawando, Laurie-Anne Sayles, Albornoz and Katz.
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Community Corner
Gaithersburg Book Festival
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 Image from the 2022 Gaithersburg Book Festival, via Gaithersburg Book Festival
You are invited to the Gaithersburg Book Festival on Saturday, May 20th, 10am-6pm at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg!
The Festival brings together some of the very best authors and newsmakers in the business to meet you, present their latest work, and sign books. There will be presentations for all ages and different tastes. This year, the Festival will feature more than 130 authors.
The Festival also features workshops for aspiring writers, tons of children’s activities and performances, stages dedicated to poetry and to multicultural readings, exhibits, food and fun for everyone. It's free to attend, free to park, and fun for all. It will be held at beautiful Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg, right next to Gaithersburg High School on Saturday, May 20th, from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Apply for the Committee to Recommend Funding for the County's Public Election Fund
The County Committee to Recommend Funding for the Public Election Fund is looking for seven members to recommend funding levels for the County's campaign public funding system. This is an important opportunity to help shape the public financing system for the next local electoral cycle.
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