The Coalition's goal is to achieve community understanding, policy making and regulatory decisions that will lead to an increase in and equitable access to Howard County affordable housing. We seek to contribute to a community-wide recognition that Howard County's economic vitality is dependent upon access to jobs, housing that individuals and families can afford, a quality educational system, and resident mobility.
Embedded Files
IT'S A FACT!
Maryland is losing residents to lower-cost states, especially states where housing is cheaper. Before the pandemic, the losses were primarily due to the movement of older residents. Since the pandemic, the share of younger residents leaving the state has increased.
Maryland Comptroller's Housing Report, October 2025
Calendar:
March
March
11 - Zoom Webinar - Coalition Advocacy Priorities for 2026 and HOTF Charter Amendment overview
Register here16 - County Council Legislative Hearing, including CR40-2026 (Charter Amendment) and CB21-2026 (ADU Ownership Requirements)
April
April
5 - Last day to email testimony on CR40-2026 to the County Council at councilmail@howardcountymd.org. Please copy the Coalition steering committee: admin@hocohac.org.
6 - County Council votes on CR40-2026
Mar. 16: County Council to Consider HOTF Charter Amendment
At the 3/16 public hearing, the Council will consider legislation requesting that the County Council authorize a ballot referendum that would allow the County to fund Housing Opportunities Trust Fund (HOTF) capital projects through bonds. If approved by voters, the HOTF could be backed by a dedicated, long-term funding stream to expand and preserve affordable housing in our community.
The Coalition strongly supports CR40-2026 because a Housing Trust Fund backed by bonds would give our community a steady, long-term way to invest in more housing development, just like we do for schools and roads. Instead of scrambling each year to find budget room, the county would have dedicated dollars to build more affordable homes, which would:
Help families stay in their neighborhoods and kids stay in the same schools
Help older adults remain in their communities without being priced out
Keep essential workers (who keep our county running) housed close to their jobs
Speak Up!
Register to testify at the hearing (3 minutes max). The bill number is CR40-2026.
Or, email your testimony to the County Council. Include CR40-2026 in the subject line and please copy us at admin@hocohac.org
Help shape the present and future of housing in Howard County.
We welcome organizations and individuals to join the Coalition. Members receive regular policy and legislative updates on matters that impact affordable housing, and are encouraged to attend Coalition meetings. Members also receive calls to action that can include writing letters, testifying at meetings, supporting in-person events, or providing education to the public.
Membership is free. Coalition members are published on this website and made available in conjunction with public Coalition statements as appropriate.
To join the Howard County Housing Affordability Coalition, please complete the membership sign-up form.
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