By Adam Pagnucco.
Here is today’s question.
If you are elected, name three specific things you would do to make the county more affordable.
Fatmata Barrie (D)
- Increase public transportation across the county, so residents without cars are able to live in parts of the county with more affordable housing options.
- Work to provide free universal childcare, and/or expand tax credits for childcare and increase incentives for owners of child care facilities. Childcare is one of the biggest expenses for families and one of the top reasons women say they left the workforce. We need to increase support for families to afford childcare and increase the number of childcare options for families.
- Change zoning laws in parts of the county to allow for more duplexes and multiplexes. We need to expand our housing options to build more affordable housing and give residents relief.
Josie Caballero (D)
- I will fight to implement a progressive (bracketed) income tax and push the State to allow a property tax system to lower the cost for our residents.
- I will fight to strengthen and expand rent stabilization laws to every renter in the county. To protect tenants, especially during a cost-of-living crisis with no end in sight.
- I will build more public housing to guarantee that we make new housing stock more affordable.
Radwan Chowdhury (D)
First, expand housing supply through zoning reform and transit-oriented development.
Second, reduce cost burdens by investing in childcare, transportation, and energy efficiency.
Third, grow incomes through workforce development and job creation.
Affordability requires addressing both costs and opportunity—this is central to my Blueprint.
Marc Elrich (D)
1) Increase MPDUs and deeply affordable units and actively participate in deals.
2) Simplify and streamline development review, have a single point of entry in the system and eliminate dueling approval systems. The total time from inception to construction is too long because of the system we created and the longer a property has to be carried before it can produce revenue, the more expensive it is.
3) Make the tax burden fairer – it relies too much on residents and too little on commercial property.
Dana Gassaway (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Scott Goldberg (D)
+ Not increase property taxes, income taxes, water bills, solid waste fees, an impose 2 special taxing districts, all at the same time
+ Increasing housing supply to reduce prices, or at least lessen increases
+ Low Pay 3 to K: a mix of subsidies, contributions and incentives to expand educational childcare from age 3 until kindergarten for families
Hamza Khan (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Matt Losak (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Jim McNulty (D)
First, I would repeal rent control and restart housing production. We cannot talk seriously about affordability while issuing 84 multifamily permits in eight months. Combined with overhauling the permitting and planning processes, we will show the industry that Montgomery County is serious about being a better partner. More supply means more choices and lower rents.
Second, I would launch a $40 million Workforce Housing Downpayment Assistance Fund which would provide zero-interest, zero payment loans for first time homebuyers so that our teachers, nurses, first responders and long-time renters can realize their dream of homeownership. This program is based on Gaithersburg’s existing program, scaled to the county level, funded through Housing Bonds, federal housing grants, recordation taxes, and private partnerships.
Third, invest in programs that help grow the tax base instead of raising taxes. Every property tax increase makes homeownership less affordable and pushes renters deeper into cost burden as the increased costs are passed on from their landlords. I’ll expand job training and economic development outreach, support our small business community and entrepreneurs, and explore partnerships with our schools and local skilled trades to create an apprenticeship pipeline so our youth have additional pathways to a good-paying career.
Jeremiah Pope (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Laurie-Anne Sayles (D-Incumbent)
If I am re-elected, I will focus on three concrete actions to make Montgomery County more affordable.
First, I will continue to streamline permitting and zoning processes so housing and small business projects can move faster. Delays in approvals increase construction costs, and those costs are passed on to renters, homebuyers, and consumers. By improving timelines and reducing unnecessary barriers, we can help increase housing supply and ease upward pressure on prices.
Second, I will prioritize expanding and preserving affordable housing. That means strengthening tools to prevent displacement, investing in preservation of existing affordable units, and supporting mixed-income development so working families have real housing options across the county.
Third, I will maintain strong fiscal discipline in county government so we are not increasing taxes on residents who are already facing higher costs for housing, food, and childcare. That includes identifying operational efficiencies, reducing reliance on discretionary consulting and contracting where appropriate, and better managing vacancies and procurement to avoid unnecessary spending growth.
Affordability requires a comprehensive approach. We must increase housing supply, protect existing affordability, and ensure county government is operating as efficiently as possible so we are not adding to the financial burden residents already face.
Prabu Selvam (D)
Rapidly increase production of multi-family and smaller housing units, including ADUs, through fast-tracked permitting, zoning reform, and stronger marketing of development opportunities across the county. More housing supply will help lower costs, welcome more families and workers, and strengthen our economy. Lower housing prices will also let the county invest more effectively in nonprofit and deeply affordable housing for residents who need it most.
Healthcare is a major burden on families, especially as Medicaid, ACA subsidies, and funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers face cuts. As a physician and public health expert, I will work closely with DHHS to expand cost-effective programs that improve community health through targeted screening, education, and outreach. This will help save time and money lost to avoidable health emergencies.
Utility bills, especially electricity, are rising quickly. Data centers in our region are one reason. I will hold data centers accountable and work with neighboring jurisdictions to ensure they pay their fair share instead of shifting costs onto residents. I will also fight to give our Green Bank bonding authority so buildings across the county can shift to renewable energy and become more efficient, lowering utility bills for everyone.
Karla Silvestre (D)
First, expand childcare options so families can stay in the workforce and manage everyday costs. I would support family-based providers by reducing unnecessary barriers, provide technical assistance to help them open and grow, and partner with MCPS to use school facilities for more childcare seats.\
Second, increase housing production and move projects through the pipeline faster, especially near transit, job centers, and existing infrastructure. That means streamlining approvals, setting predictable timelines, and making it easier to build a range of housing options, including more starter homes, accessory dwelling units, and basement apartments, so more people can afford to live here.
Third, help residents earn more while keeping costs in check. That means aligning workforce programs with in-demand industries through Montgomery College and our higher education partners, creating clear pathways into higher-paying jobs, and maintaining discipline in the budget so we are not relying on repeated tax increases.
Affordability is not abstract. It is whether people can stay here, raise a family here, and plan for their future. That is what these decisions need to reflect.
Steve Solomon (D)
- Cutting permitting and inspection times and costs. Small builders who want to install an ADU or other small home projects don’t have the time or money to take years on a project.
- Update zoning near transit centers and corridors to speed up home building
- Lower childcare costs – we need more pre-K access and subsidies for child care providers.
Lelia True (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Vicki Vergagni (D)
Review the regulations that we are inflicting on individuals and businesses and then cut back where the ROI is so infinitesimal. We cannot protect people from themselves. (For example, requiring AEDs for wading pools that serve only a handful of people each day. Establish reasonable, minimum thresholds and let the organization decide if it wants to spend if not required to do so.)
Re-classify individually-owned multi-family garden apartment condominiums as “residential” instead of “commercial”.
Building permit for $30,000 renovation of 1,000 square feet of a $250,000 condominium unit is $2,790.27; for $60,000 renovation of 1,0000 square feet of a $2,500,000 single-family residence is $1,525.92.
Less effort is required to serve the first taxpayer than the second.
These condominiums are in even worse financial shape if master-metered because they do not receive rebates, tax credits, etc. because they are “commercial”.
Collaborate with the School Board to transition non-basic programs to Montgomery College so that tax dollars are being used to secure more high-performing teachers who will assure that high school graduates meet 9th-grade national standards with regard to reading/writing English and math.
Muhammad Arif Wali (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Sherwin Wells (R)
Implement Smart Zoning to create smaller lot sizes to create affordable housing units for purchase under $300,000 with manufactured homes. Instead of giving tax breaks to developers for 20 years, I would invest in first time homebuyer grants to cover closing costs for renters to purchase their homes and grow the property tax base. Commit to not raise taxes higher than the cost of living and ensure the County Budget is effectively managed.