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Montgomery County commission reports 32% rise in homelessness, urges urgent investment in eviction prevention and housing supports
Summary
The county—s Interagency Commission on Homelessness reported a 32% increase in overall homelessness (Jan. 29 point-in-time count) and a 98% rise in family homelessness, and recommended boosting eviction prevention, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and rental assistance to avoid further increases.
The Interagency Commission on Homelessness told Montgomery County councilmembers that the county—s point-in-time count on Jan. 29, 2025, showed a 32% overall increase in homelessness from 2024 and a 98% jump in family homelessness to 204 households with children.
"Rising rents and inflation continue to push residents, especially families, to the brink," Chief Hong said, summarizing the commission—s findings and the strain created by the expiration of COVID-era federal funding.
The commission urged a suite of prevention- and housing-focused actions: increased funding for eviction prevention and diversion, expanded rental-assistance and shallow subsidy programs for people with disabilities and older adults, restored rapid rehousing and SHARP program funding to replace expired federal dollars, and more locally funded permanent supportive housing slots. The ICH also recommended a homeless preference policy in the Housing Opportunities Commission to prioritize households experiencing homelessness for housing choice vouchers and an increase in the landlord risk mitigation fund to attract landlords to lease to households exiting homelessness.
Chief Hong said prevention is cost-effective and spares families the trauma of shelter stays, adding that over the 2024 calendar year 2,112 adults experienced homelessness, a 32% increase over 2023. The commission—s priorities also call for scaling case management for families and connecting eviction prevention resources to households with large rental arrears.
County members and presenters linked the spike to broader pressures: a shrinking service-sector economy, federal funding uncertainty and changes, and backlog in housing and court systems that make eviction and re-housing more difficult. Commissioners and council members urged better coordination among the county—s homeless response, behavioral health, and housing authorities to match clients to programs such as permanent supportive housing where appropriate.
The commission—s recommendations are advisory; the council will consider them as it prepares for the county executive—s FY27 budget cycle and the council—s subsequent review.
