Maryland’s housing market is out of reach for the majority of moderate-income residents.
Maryland’s housing market is out of reach for 51% of moderate-income residents: now, a state task force in Maryland is considering whether counties and municipalities should have more power to raise property-related taxes and fees. Presently, counties in Maryland can raise property taxes without the state’s approval, but the state develops the formula to calculate the tax rate.
“Lori Graff, CEO of the Maryland Building Industry Association, said additional taxes and fees would add to the cost of buying and building homes and could discourage construction in Maryland. Housing costs have also prompted some Marylanders to consider leaving the state. A 2024 poll conducted by the Maryland Realtors found that 30% of voters aged 18-34 were considering leaving because of housing costs, while 28% of those aged 35-49 were considering an out-of-state move,” Tinashe Chingarande writes for the Baltimore Sun.
The task force’s final meeting is in November and its ultimate recommendations will go to the governor. The General Assembly has the final say on any changes to the local taxing authority.
Read the full story: As Maryland housing costs climb, local governments seek more taxing power
Ann Arbor millage tax has created over $27M for affordable housing
The 2020 property tax is expected to fund roughly 1,500 new affordable homes.
Opinion: Richmond, Virginia Needs a Land Value Tax
Switching from property tax to a land value tax could rein in sprawl, boost urban density, and lower the cost of housing.
California Bill Seeks to Facilitate 'Missing Middle' Housing
Affordable housing developers are increasingly asked to build middle-income units, but can't afford to do so.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
Maryland local governments examine if they should have more power to raise property taxes
Maryland’s housing market is out of reach for the majority of moderate-income residents.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades
The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello