Affordable Housing Bill Passed By Anne Arundel County Council In Close Vote

As the Anne Arundel County Council voted 4-3 to pass the Housing Attainability Act on October 7, the room erupted in applause, led by dozens of advocates who had fought for more affordable housing.

The act aims to make housing more affordable and attainable for county residents, particularly essential workers like teachers, police officers and firefighters.

Workers in education, health care, and other social services make up 22.2% of all workers in Anne Arundel County, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The law requires that new developments with 20 or more units set aside at least 10% of homeownership units and 15% of rental units as moderately priced dwelling units (MPDU). Developments with 10 to 19 units must either comply with the mandate or pay a fee to opt out under certain conditions. Developments with fewer than 10 units are exempt from the mandate.

However, the most impactful aspect of the act is its density provisions. The bill introduces a tier system for developments that exceed baseline density. For homes built within the baseline density, the standard MPDU requirements apply. If a development reaches 100% to 115% of the baseline density, 25% of the additional homes must be MPDU. If the density exceeds 115% then 40% of the extra homes must be MPDU.

To qualify for an MPDU, renters must earn less than 75% of the area’s median income, while homebuyers must earn less than 100% of the area’s median income. The median income for an individual in the county is $85,563 and $110,000 for a family of three, according to the county’s bill summary. The average family size in Anne Arundel County is 3.14, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

A small group of activists wearing yellow shirts bearing the acronym ACT (Anne Arundel Connecting Together) packed the council chambers in support of the bill. ACT is a nonpartisan, interfaith network of 18 congregations and community groups in Anne Arundel County. The group seeks to “build power to improve the lives of our families and seek justice for all in our communities,” according to its website.

“I should not be here tonight,” said the Rev. Stephen Tillett, co-chair of ACT and Asbury Broadneck United Methodist Church pastor, whose mother had been hospitalized after a fall that day. “But I heard some folks might be getting weak-kneed, so I thought it was important to be here. I am here to support Bill 72-24 and ask that there are no more delays. We have delayed enough.”

He left immediately after his statement to visit his mother in the hospital.

Matt Johnston, executive director of the Arundel Rivers Federation, expressed support for most of the bill during his testimony but raised concerns about net density and impervious surface coverage, noting that increased density could exacerbate environmental issues in the county.

Other residents also voiced concerns about how increased density and development might worsen runoff, which has affected the county’s watersheds in the past.

In her closing statement, county council chair Allison Pickard addressed these concerns, saying, “It was somewhat like hearing nails on a chalkboard when I heard talk about paving over wetlands and steep slopes, where we can’t build and won’t build.” She emphasized, “This bill does not weaken or reduce any of our environmental policies.”

Pickard’s role in the bill’s passage was pivotal. She cast the deciding vote against a previous version of the bill. Pickard said she voted against the original bill because she thought the council could compromise on legislation that would, in her opinion, have a bigger impact. With the new amendments, she became one of its strongest supporters.

Councilmembers Peter Smith, Julie Hummer and Lisa Rodvien also voted in favor of the act, which will go into effect July 1, 2025.