Whether they live in the mountains of Western Maryland, near the nation’s capital or along the Chesapeake Bay, Marylanders can agree on one thing: the cost of renting or buying a home in the state is too high.
How to solve the problem depends on who you ask.
Among candidates running for the Maryland General Assembly, some argue for more government intervention, while others argue for less. Others posit the solution lies in expanding the housing supply or fixing broader socioeconomic issues.
Still for others, the issue of housing affordability is personal.
“I grew up in poverty without running water or electricity, so I understand firsthand how inadequate housing creates unnecessary stresses for families trying to make ends meet,” said Del. Greg Wims, D-Montgomery County, who represents District 39.
However, among the 141 candidates who responded to a questionnaire from the Local News Network — used to produce the Capital News Service General Assembly primary voter guide — there was more agreement about the severity of Maryland’s housing crunch than possible solutions.
In short supply
Many candidates said increasing the housing supply is the most direct way to address the problem.
“When supply is limited, prices go up,” said Blane Miller III of Havre de Grace, a Democrat running for State Senate in District 34.
Paul Henderson, a Democrat running for State Senate in Baltimore County’s District 42, agreed.
“Maryland’s housing is expensive mainly because we haven’t built enough homes in the places people want to live,” Henderson said.
Some Republican candidates emphasized reducing barriers to development as a way to increase supply.
District 5 Del. Chris Tomlinson of Carroll County argued simplifying permitting and reducing regulatory burdens on builders would allow the market to respond more effectively to housing demand.
“The Maryland General Assembly should focus on market-based approaches to reducing the cost of housing in our state,” said Tomlinson, a Republican.
One major issue is zoning regulations, which are set at the state and municipal levels to dictate how much land can be used for residential or commercial growth.
“We need to look at our zoning laws and permitting laws and see if they need reforms,” said Matt Menter of Baltimore, a Democrat running for the House of Delegates in District 41.
But others are not fully on board with trimming zoning restrictions.
“Simply removing zoning regulations may get us more houses, but it will not get us more houses that working people can afford,” said Kate Stein of Chevy Chase, a Democrat running for delegate in Montgomery County’s District 18. “Instead, we need to start truly prioritizing the kinds of development we want.”
Some candidates have proposed more specific development strategies.
Dani Moore-King, a Democrat from Prince George’s County running for House of Delegates in District 26, pointed to smaller housing models, such as tiny home communities and cottage-style developments, as a way to make the housing market more accessible.
“These can create attainable entry points for first-time buyers, seniors looking to downsize and individuals seeking more flexible living options,” Moore-King said.
The state’s role
Candidates are also divided on how much the state should be involved in addressing housing affordability — with some Republicans saying the state shouldn’t be involved at all.
“Housing will always be best handled on the county and municipality levels,” said C.L. Marshall III, a Republican running for delegate in District 38A on the Eastern Shore.
Still, Democratic candidates tend to support a more active role for governments.
Craig Hayes of Hyattsville, a Democratic candidate for delegate in District 22, supports rent stabilization legislation and stronger protections for tenants.
“As a renter in a district with many renters, I am keenly aware of the exorbitant cost of safe, dignified housing in Maryland,” Hayes said.
Philip Cook, a Democratic candidate for State Senate in District 17, agreed with Hayes.
“Rent stabilization is certainly needed for Maryland,” said Cook, a native of Gaithersburg. “Legislation banning private equity firms from owning single-family homes would allow lower housing costs and allow regular people to be able to buy a house.”
Republicans, however, think the state needs less regulation, not more.
“Maryland can tackle its housing affordability crisis by tackling its overall affordability crisis,” said Jake Taylor of Bel Air, a Republican running for delegate in District 34B. “That means getting government out of the way and out of people’s pockets, cutting reckless, inflationary spending and ending costly regulations.”
Broader economic factors
Some candidates said housing affordability cannot be addressed without looking at broader economic conditions, including wages and cost of living.
“We must also address the root causes of housing instability, including low wages and lack of access to economic opportunity,” said Crystal Parker of Baltimore, a Democrat running for delegate in District 40.
Others echoed that concern, noting rising costs and stagnant wages are putting pressure on working families.
“Wages stagnate, rents rise, forcing working families into overcrowded, unsafe and undignified conditions,” said Alicia Contreras-Donello, a Montgomery County Democrat running for delegate in District 14.
Some candidates warned that Marylanders are moving to neighboring states in search of cheaper living costs.
“The monthly homeowner and rental expenses in Maryland are higher than all of our border states,” said Dan Katz, a Republican from northern Baltimore County running for delegate in District 42A.
Some candidates are experiencing those consequences firsthand.
“My own family members are choosing to leave Calvert [County] because they cannot afford to rent or buy the homes here,” said Jennifer Davidson, a Democrat running for delegate in District 27C.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Stallworth had it even worse.
“Last year I experienced homelessness, and affordability was at the center of it,” said Stallworth, a Democrat running for delegate in Prince George’s County’s District 23. “I will fight so that no child in Maryland faces what I faced.”
But another District 23 Democratic challenger, Michael Bance, said the fight for affordable housing won’t be easy.
“This is not a one-size-fits-all issue,” Bance said. “It requires thoughtful leadership, collaboration and a commitment to making Maryland a place where families can afford to live, work and thrive.”