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.
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IT'S A FACT!
65% of working-age renters lack sufficient residual income for daily necessities after housing costs.
Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University; June 2025
The State of the Nation's Housing 2025
The US housing market is shrouded in uncertainty. High home prices and interest rates have pushed sales to their lowest level in 30 years; insurance premiums and property taxes are on the rise; high rents have left record numbers with cost burdens...
65% of renters lack sufficient residual income for daily necessities after housing costs.
Federal assistance is only serving 25% of eligible households.
There are 14.2 million without support.
Joint Housing Studies of Harvard University: The State of the Nation's Housing Report; June 24, 2025
Over 200 Affordable Homes Coming to Columbia
Baltimore SUN article, July 17, 2025
The Enterprise Community Development projects, The Vision at Parkway (formerly Ranleigh Court) and the Legacy at Cedar Lane (formerly Waverly Winds), are among the county's latest steps to address its long-standing affordable housing problem. The Vision at Parkway is a $47.88 million project composed of 82 apartment homes--66 of the new units will be affordable and 36 will be market-rate. The Legacy at Cedar Lane, at a cost of $64.15 million, will hold 83 affordable units and 40 at market rate.
[Note: The Housing Affordability Coalition has been a strong advocate for these Enterprise redevelopment projects. Howard County helped finance the projects with Housing Opportunities Trust funding.]
Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) Pilot Program Launched
In partnership with the Community Action Council (CAC), the County has announced the Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) pilot program. CAC has enrolled 20 families in the program that offers monthly economic assistance, wrap-around services, and programming sessions from community partners. CAC provides participating families $1,000 per month for 12 months to prioritize household needs that will ultimately improve overall economic stability.
CAC President Broccolino states that "this unrestricted support will give families the breathing rooms to plan,, grow and pursue stability on their own terms--a powerful investment in dignity and possibility." County Executive Ball noted that "through data collection and key outcome measures, this pilot program will inform future County strategies to promote economic mobility and self-sufficiency."
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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