Changes to Howard County?s housing program should make it easier for moderate income earners ? such as teachers and public safety personnel ? to afford a home, county officials said.
“This is all about connecting people to opportunities,” Housing Director Stacy Spann said of the proposed changes to the county?s Moderate Income Housing Unit program.
Several bills, which were prefiled this week for Oct. 1 introduction in the Howard County Council, aim to make the county?s housing program easier to administer.
The much-anticipated affordable housing legislation comes nearly a year after a task force released a report recommending ways to tackle the affordable housing gap.
“We needed to take some time to get our arms around” the needs at the department and the underutilized housing programs, County Executive Ken Ulman said.
One measure, introduced by Council Chairman Calvin Ball, D-District 2, and Ulman, would give priority to employees of public entities ? such as Howard County government and the board of education ? for selection to purchase affordable housing.
“It?s been a problem for years that our officers, particularly our young officers, can?t afford to live in the county,” said Cpl. Ronald Baker, president of the police union, the Howard County Police Officers? Association.
The starting wage for police is $43,742, which is still below surrounding jurisdictions, Baker said. Changes to the county?s housing program could help police and other county employees, he said.
Another bill would give the housing department a chance to purchase or lease a portion of apartment units that are being converted into condos.
The council also will consider allowing the housing department to build housing in certain commercial areas, a plan that when first proposed drewire from residents who said the changes needed more public discussion.
