|
Today, our Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee examined homelessness in Montgomery County and our collective efforts to prevent it. This was an especially important briefing given the regional economic challenges we face and continued lack of adequate affordable housing in our communities. We strongly believe both factors contributed to an increased number of homeless people in this year's annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Count, one measure jurisdictions use to track trends and evaluate solutions.
The County uses an array of strategies, directly through the Services to End and Prevent Homelessness and in partnership with nonprofit organizations, including permanent supportive housing, healthcare services, rental assistance, and rapid prevention services for families and individuals at imminent risk of losing their home.
We increased our investment in Services to End and Prevent Homelessness by 25% for Fiscal Year 2026, which starts next week, continuing a trend of increased investments in these programs coming out of the pandemic. We're clearly still seeing the impacts and are unique in terms of local jurisdictions in that we've been able to continue housing assistance programs once COVID-era federal aid for them was exhausted.
I'm proud to live and work in a county that has demonstrated unwavering commitment to helping our neighbors in need. We also know it's not enough. There are root causes of homelessness - rising housing prices, gaps in mental healthcare, domestic violence, and others - that require significant care and attention. We also must constantly evaluate the services we're providing to ensure they're effective and continue to address them outside of the work that our Department of Health and Human Services and nonprofit partners are doing every day.
One important example of this is the More Housing N.O.W. set of policy and budget initiatives that will create more housing supply, help stabilize housing costs, and that I'm proud to support.
During this year's annual Point-In-Time Count, 31% of those surveyed reported a history of domestic violence, making this the most common experience and vulnerability among adults in families with minor children (which is the population where homelessness has increased most sharply in the last year). If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there are resources that can help:
Many people experiencing homelessness also reported struggling with serious mental illness, substance use disorder, chronic health conditions, disabilities, limited English proficiency, difficulties after being incarcerated, difficulties specific to seniors, and difficulties specific to veterans. If you or someone you know are experiencing one or more of these challenges, please call the Crisis Center at 240-777-4000. They offer free help 24/7 and 365 days a year. You may also contact my office by emailing or calling 240-777-7860. We may be able to help connect you or someone you know to resources.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future:
Heritage Emory Grove
 Councilmember Luedtke meets with residents and community leaders to discuss the updates on the Heritage Emory Grove revitalization project.
Shaped by generations of community resilience, Emory Grove is more than a neighborhood. It’s a vital chapter in Montgomery County’s story. Last week, community leaders and project partners discussed the latest on Heritage Emory Grove, a deeply meaningful initiative in District 7 that centers the history, legacy, and future of a vibrant Black community that has long been underrepresented in local planning efforts.
We must ensure that this project delivers not only physical revitalization, but also economic opportunity, intergenerational connection, and log-term stability for this community. The proposed vision includes historic preservation, affordable housing, community spaces, and infrastructure improvements all developed in close partnership with residents and grounded in respect for the past.
I encourage you to learn more about this transformative work, the planning process, and the community’s powerful voice in shaping what comes next.
 A 2023 photo of Councilmember Luedtke embarking on a farm tour of District 7. Click the picture for a video documenting her experience!
The 2025 Montgomery County Farm Tour & Harvest Sale will be the weekend of July 26 and 27. This beloved summer tradition offers residents and visitors the chance to explore our local farms, meet the growers behind our food, and enjoy the beauty and bounty of Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve. It’s an opportunity to support local agriculture, experience farm life up close, and stock up on everything from fresh produce to handmade goods.
Visit the County website for details and participants.
|
