At a meeting of county leaders on Saturday, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced that he is getting ready to take action that he claims will lower housing costs by encouraging new developments.
Moore gave the customary statement to conclude the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference in Ocean City, telling a group of county executives and state Cabinet representatives that we need to move more quickly on affordable housing.
The governor has made housing a top priority, but MACo, the group that represents governments in the 24 major political subdivisions in the state, opposed a bill that was included in his legislative package during the 2025 session.
Moore made a call to action during what will be his final summer conference prior to the 2026 primary. According to him, half of all renters in Maryland spend more than 30% of their salary on housing. According to Moore, the state is 43rd in terms of housing affordability, and permits for new housing units have decreased by over 40% since the Great Recession of 2008.
Moore added that the pain is not limited to our people. It’s the economy and housing market in Maryland. Prioritizing inexpensive housing that is close to employment and transit is essential if we hope to create new avenues for wealth accumulation, reduce expenses, and accelerate economic growth.
