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Uncovering the Housing Crisis in Montgomery County, Maryland

Tahirih Njang

ENG 102: First-Year Composition

Dr. Hiscox

January 27, 2023

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Overview

The housing crisis in Montgomery County, Maryland has been a growing concern in

recent years. The county, located just outside of Washington, DC, has seen a significant increase

in population, leading to a shortage of affordable housing options. The lack of affordable housing

has resulted in a number of negative effects on the community, including increased homelessness

and housing insecurity, as well as strain on the county's economy.

This investigative report aims to uncover the hidden costs and consequences of the

housing crisis in Montgomery County, Maryland. Through conducting primary research by

surveying and interviewing stakeholders, as well as analyzing secondary sources such as

academic studies, community-generated material, and local news articles, this report will delve

into the factors contributing to the housing crisis in the county and the impact it has on residents

and the community as a whole. This report serves to provide a comprehensive and in-depth

examination of the housing crisis and its effects in my community of Montgomery County. The

aim is to reach and empower members of my community, specifically tenants, to advocate for

policy change and reforms to address the crisis. Furthermore, I am calling to action local

officials, housing construction, and the local development industries in placing resolving this

immense issue at the top of your priority lists.

Problem Analysis

According to data from the Montgomery County Planning Department, the county's

population has grown by over 15% in the last decade. This growth has led to increased demand

for housing, but the supply of affordable housing has not kept pace. As a result, the median home
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price in the county has risen significantly, making it difficult for many residents to afford to

purchase a home.

Graph displaying a

slowdown in housing construction. The number of housing units permitted annually in

Montgomery County dropped during the Great Recession, and it has not recovered since.

The lack of affordable housing has also led to an increase in renters, with data from the

U.S. Census Bureau showing that the percentage of renters in the county has risen from 35% in

2010 to 39% in 2020. This increase in renters has led to a shortage of affordable rental housing,

with the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the county now exceeding $1,500 per

month.

The housing crisis in Montgomery County has also had a significant impact on the

county's homeless population. Data from the county's Department of Health and Human Services

shows that the number of homeless individuals and families has increased by over 30% in the

last five years. This increase in homelessness has put a strain on the county's social services and

has led to a number of negative effects on the community, including increased crime and reduced

quality of life.
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In addition to the negative effects on individuals and families, the housing crisis in

Montgomery County has also had a significant impact on the county's economy. The lack of

affordable housing has led to a shortage of workers for local businesses, as many residents are

unable to afford to live in the county. This has resulted in increased costs for businesses and

reduced economic growth.

The housing crisis in Montgomery County, Maryland is a growing issue that is affecting

a significant portion of the population. The county is facing a shortage of affordable housing

options, which is leading to increased housing insecurity and homelessness. The problem is

further exacerbated by the high cost of living and stagnant wages, making it difficult for low and

moderate-income residents to afford housing.

Image displaying
Kristin Mink, the
Democratic nominee for Montgomery County Council District 5, delivering remarks at a rally
for rent stabilization in front of the Montgomery County Council Building. As housing costs
climb, tenants of Silver Spring are calling for a policy feared and loathed by the development
industry: rent control.
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According to the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the

number of homeless individuals and families in the county has increased by 23% from 2015 to

2020 (The State of the Nation's Housing 2020). As of January 2020, there were 2,143 homeless

persons and families in the county, with 64% being families with children. The shortage of

affordable housing options is also affecting the county's workforce. Nearly 60% of renters in

Montgomery County are cost-burdened. They pay more than 30% of their income on housing,

according to a study from the county's Housing Department, which does not leave enough for the

basic needs.

The problem is further compounded by the lack of affordable housing options for the

county's growing population. According to the census, the population of Montgomery County is

projected to grow by over 20% by 2045. This growth will put additional strain on the county's

already limited housing stock.

The housing crisis in Montgomery County is a multifaceted issue that is affecting a

growing number of residents. The shortage of affordable housing options, high cost of living,

stagnant wages, and projected population growth are all contributing factors to the problem.

Addressing this issue is crucial for the well-being and stability of the county's residents and

workforce.

A major topic being affordability: Many families cannot afford to live in a home that is

safe, healthy, and well-maintained due to a shortage of affordable housing, placing their children

in environments that are harmful to their growth. The increasing residential mobility caused by

affordability issues has a negative influence on educational achievement. For instance, one
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research shows that the likelihood of completing high school is decreased by roughly 20% if a

kid moves numerous times in their youth, compared to children who do not move at all. In

addition, there are likely significant psychological and emotional costs associated with repeated

relocation, particularly for very young children. Spending ‘too much’ on housing leaves families

with less money for food, clothes, child care, and medical expenses. Because of the high cost of

housing, many families have to make tough choices between food, transportation, and other

needs just to make ends meet. Finally, home instability may put a strain on parent-child

relationships due to the significant stress it causes.

The housing crisis in Montgomery County, Maryland is a serious issue that needs to be

addressed. The shortage of affordable housing options has led to a number of negative effects on

the community, including increased homelessness and housing insecurity, as well as strain on the

county's economy. In order to address this crisis, it will be necessary to increase the supply of

affordable housing options and support for individuals and families who are struggling to afford

housing.

Implications of the problem analysis and findings

The housing crisis in Montgomery County, Maryland is an issue that needs to be

addressed due to a variety of factors. Firstly, the county is facing a shortage of affordable

housing, with a growing population and limited supply of affordable homes. According to the

Montgomery County Planning Department, the county needs to add 12,500 new affordable

housing units by 2030 to meet the demand. Additionally, the county is also experiencing a rise in

housing costs, with the median home price in Montgomery County reaching $460,000 in 2020,

which is unaffordable for many residents.

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Furthermore, the housing crisis disproportionately affects low-income residents and

communities of color. According to the Montgomery County Department of Housing and

Community Affairs, in 2019, only 14% of the county's housing stock was affordable to

households earning less than $50,000 per year. Moreover, people of color in the county are

disproportionately represented in residences that are overcrowded and/or poorly maintained.

All in all, the housing crisis also contributes to a multitude of social and economic

problems in the county, such as homelessness, poverty, and lack of access to education and job

opportunities. Therefore, addressing this issue in Montgomery County is crucial in moving

toward a world where all our residents have access to safe, affordable, decent housing and

community – a basic human right.

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Self-Assessment:

Overall, I am satisfied with the way I tackled my final draft and look forward to continuing with

this through Project 2. The feedback that I received on my first draft pretty much revolved

around having a more direct address to the audience, as well as feedback on improving my

organizational structure. As a result, I removed the subheadings that seemed to be throwing off

the paper structurally and made it so that the information I’m relaying throughout my paragraphs

are tying back to the thesis.

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References

Govoni, L., & Sartori, J. (2022, September 22). Addressing the Housing Affordability Gap in

Montgomery County. Montgomery Planning | The Third Place.

https://montgomeryplanning.org/blog-design/2022/09/addressing-the-housing-

affordability-gap/

Missing middle housing in Montgomery County. Montgomery Planning. (2021, November 29).

https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/housing/attainable-housing-strategies-

initiative/missing-middle-housing/

"Montgomery County's Affordable Housing Crisis." Bethesda Magazine, 21 June 2019,

www.bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/community/2019/06/21/montgomery-

countys-affordable-housing-crisis/.

Rosen, E., Garboden, P. M., & Cossyleon, J. E. (2021). Racial discrimination in housing: how

landlords use algorithms and home visits to screen tenants. American Sociological

Review, 86(5), 787-822.

Schweitzer, A. (2022, September 12). Tenants Urge Montgomery County Council to pass rent

control. DCist.

https://dcist.com/story/22/09/12/rent-control-wealthy-dc-suburb-montgomery-county/

"The State of the Nation's Housing 2020." Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard

University, www.jchs.harvard.edu/state-nations-housing-2020.