The number of households who qualify for affordable housing in Howard County could increase.
The County Council recently introduced a bill that broadens the moderate-income range to between $32,800 and $65,600. The current county zoning guidelines established the range between $36,000 and $57,700.
In addition, the bill offers a new middle-income range, which begins at the top of the moderate level and extends to about $90,000.
The middle-income range was added with Columbia in mind, said Steve Lafferty, deputy director of the county Department of Planning and Zoning. Columbia residents wanted to ensure the affordability of the new housing slated as part of its redevelopment plan.
The top earners in the middle-income range for Howard County make more than double the national household income of $44,684, according to 2004 Census data.
The measure could not go into effect until the Department of Planning and Zoning changes its zoning text, and the County Council approves it once again.
County Council Chairman Christopher Merdon wants to focus on the eligibility aspect of the proposal.
“It?s targeted toward people who don?t need government assistance, but it leaves out the people who do need it,” said Merdon who is running for county executive this year.
“It targets the families on the higher end of the low scale, rather than the lower end of the low scale.”
Under the current county affordable housing laws, developers must dedicate between 5 percent and 15 percent of houses in a development to moderate-income households, said Bob Lalush, zoning board administrator for Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning.
What happens next
The Howard County Council will hold a legislative work session at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and vote on the bill at 7:30 p.m. May 1 in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building on Court House Drive in Ellicott City.
