Maryland has a housing shortage, and is losing residents to other states where housing is more affordable. The following bills can help change this trajectory by ensuring our communities can build homes that truly reflect the diversity of needs of Maryland residents.
CSG staff have been back and forth to Annapolis many times this session already, but you don’t have to schlep up to the state capital to make your voice heard!
Email your state legislators today to support key housing bills this session!
⭐ Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act (SB 389 / HB 894) ⭐
This bill helps advance transit-oriented development (TOD) and housing around high-frequency rail stations.
The bill would remove minimum parking requirements within ¼ mile of stations, letting the market determine the need and reducing construction costs; allow mixed-use and residential developments within ½ mile of stations; reduce barriers to development on state-owned land adjacent to stations; and allow for the collection of impact fees after a project is completed.
More homes and businesses near transit means savings on housing + transportation costs for residents, higher transit ridership and fare revenue, and more tax revenue for local and state government.
⭐ Maryland Housing Certainty Act (SB 325 / HB 548) ⭐
This bill establishes that once a complete development application has been submitted, it is vested and cannot later be rejected or modified due to changes in laws and regulations made after submission. In addition, it establishes that impact fees cannot be collected until completion of the project.
Land use development proposals take time and money to prepare. The longer and riskier this process is, the more it ultimately costs and the less likely a project can move forward. By providing greater certainty in the development process, this bill can help attract new investment in housing and reduce housing costs.
⭐ Starter and Silver Homes Act (SB 36 / HB 239) ⭐
This bill permits smaller, less expensive single family homes on smaller lots (5,000 sq. ft) in areas connected to water and sewer. The bill allows townhouses by-right where single family detached homes are allowed. The bill also permits subdivision of a lot into 3 or fewer smaller lots that conform to local law.
Smaller homes and townhomes are an ideal fit for the housing needs of many Marylanders across a diverse range of ages, incomes, and household sizes. These housing types were once common, and are a key part of the fabric of many beloved communities in our state.
This bill would allow more communities to build these kinds of homes again, making our communities accessible to more people—from young families to those seeking to stay near family as they downsize.