Some housing advocates say the $16.5 million deal’s 10% affordable housing requirement is insufficient and that incentives shouldn’t be given out on a case by case basis.
The Baltimore County Council approved a 30-year property tax break for a “politically connected” developer in exchange for a pledge to set aside 10 percent of their units as affordable. As Christian Olaniran explains in an article for CBS News, the deal applies to two projects that include county-owned property and totals $16.5 million.
While some city and county officials praised the move, “Housing advocate Nick Stewart, who is running for county executive in 2026, called the 10% set-aside insufficient and said the county's practice of tailoring legislation for individual developers ‘is part and parcel of the culture.’” Some council members also criticized the county’s focus on the its western neighborhoods while east side projects remain unfunded.
FULL STORY: Baltimore County Council approves major tax break for affordable housing development
Loopholes in Texas Development Tax Break Break Affordable Housing Promises
A tax break approved by the Texas Legislature is delivering massive benefits to developers in the state, but advocates say the public isn't getting the promised return on investment.
Tax Breaks Offered in Exchange for Affordable Housing in Downtown Phoenix
The state of Arizona doesn't allow local jurisdictions to charge affordable housing fees for new developments, so the city of Phoenix is offering tax breaks as an incentive instead.
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