Officials want families affected by the Base Realignment and Closure process to find a home in the region ? and they want it to be a team effort.
At a symposium with Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and members of the Maryland Association of Realtors on Thursday, Brown talked with area Realtors about how members of local and state government must team with both the private and public sectors to create a united front, one that can help sell Maryland.
“The governor and I are committed to the One Maryland approach to BRAC,” said Brown, who also is chair of the base realignment subCabinet. “The most important question about people moving to [the area] is who are they, what are their needs, and how do we meet them.”
Ilene Kessler, president of the Realtor association, said that as real estate group, it is the front line when it comes to people relocating.
“I have received a lot of calls and inquiries,” Kessler said. “Human resource departments of businesses often call local Realtors before moving. A lot of us are seeing the first wave already coming through.”
Serving as makeshift ambassadors, Kessler and Brown said that it is imperative for them to make affordable housing a prevalent option. Currently, property in the Baltimore region sells for about $306,588, March statistics by Metropolitan Regional Information Systems indicated.
But in Baltimore City, that figure plummets to $178,019.
“The governor and I would like to see Baltimore City for [an emphasized location],” Brown said. “People have a choice, but we want to do what we can to make Baltimore a destination.”
In the meeting with the Realtors, Brown looked to answer questions members had regarding the influx of people to the area as a result of BRAC. And with an estimated 60,000 workers and 28,000 new households coming to the region, answers are needed. Through discussing the One Maryland approach, Brown told the Realtors that they were the first private group he had talked to about helping prepare for the base realignment.
“It?s our job and responsibility to uphold this BRAC mission,” Brown said. “We want [people] to look at it as a challenge and opportunity.”
