Housing is more than a place to live — it’s the foundation for opportunity, stability, and family security. Yet across Maryland, too many families are being priced out of their own communities. Skyrocketing rents, stagnant wages, and rising mortgage costs have made homeownership feel out of reach for millions of working people. That’s not sustainable — and it’s not acceptable.

I know that struggle personally. Despite working hard my entire adult life, I’ve never been able to afford to buy a home. Like so many Marylanders, my family rents — not because we want to, but because the system is stacked against working families who are just trying to get ahead. I’ve seen how housing insecurity doesn’t just impact where you live — it affects your stability, your savings, and your sense of belonging.

We need a housing policy that works for everyone — renters, first-time buyers, and long-term homeowners — and one that builds stronger, more connected communities in the process.

I’ll fight to make housing affordable and sustainable by:

• Expanding affordable housing development through federal incentives and partnerships with local governments and nonprofits.

• Increasing support for first-time homebuyers by expanding tax credits and down payment assistance.

• Protecting renters from predatory practices and preventing large corporations from buying up single-family homes and pricing out working families.

• Investing in rural and small-town housing to make sure every community has access to safe, affordable places to live.

• Strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and other proven programs that expand supply while protecting affordability.

• Reinvesting in public infrastructure — roads, bridges, broadband, and public transit — to connect communities, lower commute times, and attract economic growth.

• Promoting sustainable, climate-resilient development that reduces energy costs and protects communities from flooding and extreme weather.

• Expanding funding for homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing programs so every Marylander has a safe place to call home.

A fair economy starts with affordable housing and reliable infrastructure. We can’t build a stronger future if working families can’t afford to live where they work. It’s time to make housing stability — not speculation — the foundation of our economic growth.