Baltimore Headed For A Housing Shortfall

25 July 2006 - 11:00am

"The Baltimore metropolitan area stands ready to add more than 200,000 jobs over the next 25 years, propelled by the huge economic engine of the nation's capital and the growing demands of talent-hungry employers. But it won't have enough homes for all those workers."

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An analysis by the Baltimore Sun shows that local jurisdictions, particularly in the suburban areas surrounding the city, have resisted increasing residential development permits. While some new housing is being built in the urban core, experts worry that restrictions on growth will create high housing prices and push development further out into rural areas.

"'Nobody wants to stop the job growth ... but everybody wants to stop the housing growth,' said Jeff Bronow, chief of research for the Howard County planning department."

The slow reaction to job growth in many Maryland counties jobs may lead to a critical housing shortage.

"The Baltimore metropolitan area stands ready to add more than 200,000 jobs over the next 25 years, propelled by the huge economic engine of the nation's capital and the growing demands of talent-hungry employers. But it won't have enough homes for all those workers."

An analysis by the Baltimore Sun shows that local jurisdictions, particularly in the suburban areas surrounding the city, have resisted increasing residential development permits. While some new housing is being built in the urban core, experts worry that restrictions on growth will create high housing prices and push development further out into rural areas.

"'Nobody wants to stop the job growth ... but everybody wants to stop the housing growth,' said Jeff Bronow, chief of research for the Howard County planning department."

Source: Baltimore Sun, Jul 23, 2006