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Housing panel urges preservation funds, land bank and community land trusts while warning of shelter and foreclosure gaps
Summary
County housing leaders outlined a two-track approach: preserve existing affordable units through tools like right-of-first-refusal and deed covenants, and produce new affordable housing through land-banking, inclusionary-zoning analysis and homeownership assistance programs. Speakers also described current shelter capacity (about 400 beds) and urged more homeowner-targeted foreclosure assistance.
County housing and social-services officials used the retreat's afternoon session to walk the council through housing across the continuum: prevention, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing and long-term preservation.
Erica Turner, deputy DCAO for health, human services and education, said the county operates a 24/7 shelter hotline and runs six shelters totaling roughly 400 beds. She stressed prevention programs (rental and utility assistance available via the state's one-application portal, benefits.maryland.gov) and case-managed pathways that aim to move people from shelter into permanent housing.
Jonathan R. Butler, director of the…
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