Housing affordability crisis

As the Chair of the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metro Washington’s Maryland Legislative Committee, I have witnessed firsthand a massive increase in demand for rental homes throughout Prince George’s County — something occurring nationwide.

This demand, paired with lagging construction and aging housing stock, has placing upward pressure on renters. Our nation is in a housing affordability crisis and the undersupply of housing near walkable, transit-served locations is making it worse.

The House of Representatives recently passed the INVEST in America Act and included two important provisions aimed to help combat this crisis:

The Build More Housing Near Transit Act and the Promote Affordable Housing Near Transit Act.

Both pieces of legislation would help promote the development of affordable housing near transit-served areas, which would not only help house renters who need quality, affordable housing, but would also help individuals access public transportation for work and social purposes, spurring economic activity.

The large surface transportation bill has now moved to the Senate, where the Senate Banking Committee will have jurisdiction over what is included in the legislation.

Now is the time for the Committee to do their part to help solve the housing affordability crisis and ensure these provisions are included in their version of the bill.

Harald Mangold, Alexandria, Virginia