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Affordable‑housing and homelessness advocates warn cuts could stall projects and urged large budget investments
Summary
Housing advocates and providers told the council that reductions in affordable‑housing funding risk stalling projects in the pipeline and urged the county to fund emergency rental assistance, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing and a multi‑year housing initiative fund.
Nonprofit providers, tenants and people with lived experience pressed the council to protect and expand housing investments in the FY27 budget.
Robert Goldman of MHP said the county executive’s recommendation reduces preservation and production funding to about $100 million — roughly $20 million less than prior years — and warned that at least 10 affordable‑housing projects at or near closing would be at risk without additional council action. "Absent council action, there's a strong likelihood that multiple projects will be stuck in limbo," Goldman said.
Speakers from Housing Justice Montgomery and residents urged a package of investments to address evictions and homelessness: $80 million for emergency rental assistance, $20 million for rapid rehousing, $27 million for permanent supportive housing, a $182 million housing initiative fund for production/preservation, $3.3 million for moving assistance and storage, and $9.5 million to expand SHARP short‑term housing supports. Thomas Gibson and Rashida Lee described personal experiences and said investments reduce long‑term public costs and human suffering.
Advocates asked the council to explore bond financing, restore funds to the pipeline, and prioritize programs that prevent eviction and stabilize households. The council will weigh these requests during the budget review process.
