This is a moment of truth for our County. Who do we want to be in the world? What kind of community do we want to create in Anne Arundel County? A community that cares for its essential workers and creates affordable housing for them, or a community that continues to favor developers' desires to build million dollar homes?
The County Council is considering legislation that would require all new developments and redevelopment over 10 homes to have 10-15% affordable housing.
Seems like a no brainer, doesn't it? Include a few affordable homes for sale or rent among the larger projects. That could be 200 affordable homes next year and every year after that. We need 12,000 right now. This bill is a start.
But it appears that the bill, drafted by the Democratic County Executive, doesn't have enough support among the 4 Democrats on the Council for it to pass, and may well fail this Monday, December 18th.
There is still time to get this bill back on track. Visit our GAN website https://www.growthaction.net/council to read the amended bill and write to your council member.
Copy this text below and send it to your Councilmember or all of them. Adressess in order below for Council Reps from Districts 1 through 7:
Dear Councilmembers,
Thank you for restoring affordable housing priority to essential workers employed in or by the County.
But that's not enough. Now please stand up to developers and pass the Essential Workers Housing Act (Bill 78-23). No, it's not perfect. But it is who are and want to be in this County: welcoming, respectful, and appreciative of the essential workers of Anne Arundel County.
And then when you run again for elected office, use the public campaign funding mechanism you approved this year to increase small donations, limit large donations from development interests, and receive matching funding. I hope you have the courage to get big money out of our campaigns, and to get the legislative branch back on track to serving citizens needs rather than big money donors.
Signed:
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