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Thursday, September 4, 2025

Expanding Homeownership Opportunities 

Councilmember Luedtke at the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for 20 renovated townhomes in Montgomery Village.

Homeownership provides families with stability and a chance to build equity. That is why the County teamed up with Habitat for Humanity and the Housing Opportunities Commission to renovate 20 townhomes in and around Montgomery Village for first-time homebuyers. These quality homes are being sold to those earning below the area median income and who meet specific qualifications for being able to afford and sustain lower-cost mortgages.

The County's Department of Housing and Community Affairs leveraged federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to facilitate this project.

I had the opportunity to volunteer at a Habitat build. I saw the care that volunteers and subcontractors put into the improvements: new windows, doors, flooring, and energy efficiency measures. These upgrades matter to the quality of the home for each family and benefit the entire street, neighborhood, and community.

At the Council, we continue to advance policies and investments that generate more housing affordable to families and workers. That is what Montgomery County was built on, that is how it got to be such a thriving community, and that is what people need and deserve now. Welcome to the families now part of Montgomery Village. We are incredibly grateful to have you here!

Higher Education Options for Public Safety Front Liners

Councilmember Luedtke attends the UMGC-MCPD partnership launch with County Executive Marc Elrich, Councilmember Sidney Katz, Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, Chief Marc Yamada, and police and UMGC officials.

The Montgomery County Police Department (MCP) and University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) have established an important partnership to expand professional development opportunities for MCP employees and their families. Officers, along with their spouses and dependents, will be eligible for discounted tuition rates for undergraduate and graduate programs at UMGC. 

The new program enables our officers and public safety professionals to build on their training and real-world experience, expediting the path toward a degree. With benefits valued at up to $60,000, this partnership is an investment in our employees, their families, and the community that relies on the work of our police department. 

It's another example of how we're making the Department a great place to work. We continue to make process improvements and create benefits like this one to better recruit high-quality professionals.

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events

Join me September 29 at 7:00 p.m. for a Public Safety Town Hall for the Derwood and Shady Grove community in partnership with the Westside at Shady Grove HOA. This event will take place at the Westside at Shady Grove Clubhouse (16210 Columbus Ave, Rockville) and is open to all community members. 

I’ll be joined by the 1st District Police Commander Jordan Satinsky, who will provide updates from Montgomery County Police and answer your questions directly. Together, we'll talk through public safety challenges and progress, share resources, and discuss how residents and law enforcement can continue working together to keep our neighborhoods safe. 

This meeting marks the first in a series of public safety town halls we’ll be holding across District 7. Each gathering will bring in public safety and community leaders to provide an opportunity for neighbors to raise questions and help shape how we address community safety. 

Join Councilmember Luedtke on September 13 for a training about HOAs.

I am teaming up with State Delegate Pam Queen, the Office of Common Ownership Communities, and the Greater Olney Civic Association (GOCA) to offer a free, hybrid training about how Homeowners Associations (HOAs) work! The event will take place September 13 at the Longwood Recreation Center. RSVP to president@goca.org. For HOA leaders, this training will fulfill all County requirements and is a good opportunity to meet your fellow community leaders! 

In The Community...

Councilmember Luedtke visits several schools across District 7.

Happy back to school season! I had the pleasure of joining Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor, Board of Education Member Brenda Wolff, and State Delegate Bernice Mireku-North for a tour of several schools across District 7. We greeted teachers, staff, and students and wished them the best of luck for an amazing 2025-2026 school year. 

Councilmember Luedtke commemorates Labor Day at the Gaithersburg parade.

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the Gaithersburg Labor Day parade! Labor Day is an important time to reflect on the contributions of the labor movement and union organizing in the United States. Learn more about the importance and history of Labor Day. 

Councilmember Luedtke attends the grand opening of Classic Bakery in Olney.

Upcoming Airpark Community Advisory Committee (ACAC) Meeting

Mark your calendars: The next ACAC meeting will take place September 16.  

Donate Your Unused Bike 

Have a bike you no longer use? Donate it at the annual Bicycle Donation Drive from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on October 3 in Rockville. Bikes will be collected, rain or shine, outside of the Council Office Building Garage at the corner of E. Jefferson and Monroe Street. 

Bowie Mill Road Bikeway Open House

On September 16 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold an Open House at Sequoyah Elementary School to discuss the proposed Bowie Mill Road Bikeway located in Derwood. MCDOT invites the public to learn about the project and provide feedback that may influence the final design of the project. 

Public Safety Fair 

In recognition of National Preparedness Month, the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will host Ready Montgomery: Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety Fair. This free event will take place on September 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Wheaton Local Park. 

Dine Out for a Good Cause 

Shepherd’s Table is a pillar of our community, helping people improve their lives and create a pathway towards self-sufficiency. From 5:00-9:00 p.m. on September 16, All Set Restaurant & Bar will donate 25% of the pre-tax total from participating tables to Shepherd’s Table. From 6:00-8:00 p.m. on September 18, Babycat Brewery will donate 10% of bar sales to Shepherd’s Table.

Give Input on Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget 

The County Executive is hosting a series of Community Conversations to gather feedback on the Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget. Find a conversation near you. 

If you would like to get in touch with me, please email me at Councilmember.Luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7860.

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