Many people who work in Howard County cannot live there, as the price of an average house climbs to more than $650,000.
For example, a teacher and police officer who are married and making a combined entry-level salary of about $77,000 could afford a mortgage of about $231,000.
To keep middle-class workers living in the area, Howard County Executive James Robey announced the creation of a task force that will examine affordable housing.
“Despite the steps we have taken, I remain disappointed in our inability to find a long-term and more comprehensive way to bring more low-, moderate- and middle-income housing to Howard County,” Robey said in a news conference Tuesday.
The 24-member task force will begin meeting June 27 and evaluate current affordable housing laws, as well as recommend legislation and regulations that would improve affordability, according to the task force proposal.
The County Council will receive the final recommendations by Nov. 1 and is expected to develop legislation that will implement the task force?s report, said Council Member Calvin Ball, D-District 2.
Involved in the task force are representatives from the African-American Coalition, Office of Human Rights, and county departments of public works, planning and zoning, and citizen services.
“We need to make sure people who work here have access to affordable housing,” said the Rev. Robert Turner, a coalition representative, who will sit on the task force. “How will we be able to attract and retain a work force if we can?t provide affordable housing?”
At a glance
» The median household income in Howard County is about $82,000, meaning the average family can afford a mortgage of about $246,000.
Source: Howard County Government
