Early in the 2024 General Assembly session, Gov. Wes Moore (D) made clear that pushing legislation that worked to improve Maryland’s 96,000-unit housing shortage would be a top priority this year.
But one bill has straggled behind the rest of Moore’s housing package in the legislative process. House Bill 538, aiming to incentivize developers to add affordable housing options in future developments, lagged behind Moore’s other two housing-centered bills as lawmakers deliberated how to balance state oversight with acknowledging local authority over zoning laws.
The legislation finally cleared the House Thursday on a 98-36 vote, primarily along party lines, sending the bill off for Senate consideration mere days before the end of the legislative session on April 8.
“It’s a little later than usual in session, but we have plenty of time to get these bills through,” said Del. David Moon (D-Montgomery), majority leader for the House. “I think this is a small first step to try and put a dent in the housing crisis.”
HB 538 would require local jurisdictions to provide “density bonuses” for certain development projects that include affordable housing options. This would allow developers to exceed local density regulations so long as the new buildings offered a certain percentage of “affordable dwelling units.” In the bill, this refers to housing units that are affordable to households earning 60% or less of the area’s median income.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Danielle J. Brown over at Maryland Matters
