Montgomery County Council is stepping up its game with a new housing initiative aimed at confronting the persisting housing crisis head-on. Council President Kate Stewart, alongside Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Natali Fani-González, will be hosting a media availability session on February 3, to discuss the details of the More Housing N.O.W. (New Options for Workers) package that they plan to introduce the following day.
The ambitious housing package focuses on key zoning changes designed to boost workforce housing development, including an $8 million split between the Workforce Housing Opportunity Fund and the county's existing Housing Initiative Fund. According to a statement from the Montgomery County Council's press release, the approach also expedites conversions of high-vacancy commercial properties into housing, while also offering a payment in lieu of taxes for such conversions, provided they include affordability requirements. Spearheaded by the chairs of the Planning, Housing and Parks Committee and Economic Development Committee, Friedson and Fani-González, respectively, the initiative has garnered multiple co-sponsors from among the council's ranks.
On top of the housing package, Stewart is expected to discuss advancements in environmental legislation, particularly with the Bring Your Own Bag Bill designed to curb the use of plastic bags. Retail establishments would be barred from providing plastic carryout bags, and a 10-cent charge would be imposed on paper carryout bags, some exceptions notwithstanding. Revenue from this charge is intended to fund water quality protection projects, encouraging a greener and more sustainable Montgomery County.
Stewart will also offer a preview of the Council's tribute for Black History Month, aligning with the national theme "African Americans and Labor" to honor the integral role that African Americans have played, in shaping the labor movement. The media availability, which is reserved for press, will be facilitated via Zoom, but the session will be viewable to the public through the Council's Facebook page. News media interested in joining the session must RSVP, with Lucia Jimenez before 12 p.m. on the day of the event to obtain the Zoom login credentials.
