First, what is "workforce housing"?
The term refers to housing that persons of moderate income can afford to rent or purchase in communities that offer educational, economic and social benefits. In Anne Arundel County, where over the past year the cost of housing has risen 8.65%, there is a growing shortage of moderately priced homes. Currently, the average price is $292,000, while the median family income in the county is about $70,000. Researchers generally say a family can afford a house priced at three times its annual income. So, people like police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, young professionals and any other households making less than $85,000 a year are struggling to find a home they can afford here. Many are buying elsewhere and commuting long distances to their jobs. For example, in Annapolis, only a handful of the city's 100 police officers live in town.

What is the legislative proposal to address this problem?
County Councilwomen Barbara D. Samorajczyk and Pamela G. Beidle are co-sponsoring a new bill that would affect development in the county. It would require a section of workforce housing (10% of units) in each new subdivision or rehab project of 30 homes or more that utilizes public water or sewer. This housing would look the same from the outside, but might differ in size, interior finishes and lot size from the surrounding, market-priced units (perhaps two townhomes that appear similar to surrounding single-family homes). These units would have to be good quality (but not luxurious) and be dispersed through the development. In return for building cheaper units, developers would be awarded extra lots, and they would not have to pay county impact fees for the workforce houses.

The requirements in this legislation are modeled on rules that that have been in place in Montgomery County for 30 years. Mixed-income developments of this kind can be found in Potomac and Bethesda. Howard County also requires moderately priced units to be included in some types of developments. The legislation is NOT about housing "subsidies" or supplementing the income of people in Anne Arundel County. It's about making attractive, less expensive homes more widely available.

Why is this important for us? As county residents, we will all feel a negative impact, if more police, firefighters and teachers cannot afford to work and live in our community. As Catholics, our faith principles call us to work for just opportunities for all. This legislation will create housing opportunities. And, it will help break down class and economic divisions by promoting integration in our neighborhoods.

What can we do as parishioners of St. Bernadette?
We can pay attention to information in the media about this issue and take time to discuss the merits of the workforce housing legislation with each other. We can help persuade our elected officials to vote for approval of the bill by contacting them. After every mass next weekend (17/18), you will have the chance to sign letters to Anne Arundel County Council Members and our County Executive. Please consider participating in a letter-writing campaign!