Title
AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC LAND AFFORDABILITY REQUIREMENT for the purpose of requiring residential developments built on County-owned land to include affordable housing units; establishing a “Public Land Affordability Requirement” that ensures that any residential development of ten or more units on County-owned property dedicates at least one-third of the units as affordable for the life of the development as secured through long-term affordability covenants; and generally regarding affordable housing on County-owned land.
Body
FOR USE BY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION:
Confidential: Yes / No
Requested by: Krystal Oriadha
Assigned to: Kathy Canning
Legislation Type: Bill
Need by Date: ASAP
Background Necessitating Legislation:
Prince George’s County continues to face increasing housing costs and limited availability of long‑term affordable units. When residential developments occur on County‑owned land, there is a unique opportunity to secure permanent affordability at the point of new construction-an opportunity not currently required or guaranteed under existing law.
At present, the County has no policy requiring residential developments built on County‑owned land to include affordable housing units. This creates missed opportunities to leverage public land for long‑term affordability, especially given the rising demand for accessible housing across income levels.
The closest existing mechanism is the Right of First Refusal (ROFR) program, which preserves affordability when multifamily properties are sold. However, ROFR applies only to existing apartment complexes, not new development on County‑owned sites. It does not ensure affordability covenants for future units created through public land development.
Establishing a Public Land Affordability Requirement would ensure that any residential development of ten or more units on County property dedicates at least one‑third of the units as affordable for the life of the development, secured through long‑term affordability covenants. This framework could be implemented through the County’s land bank authority and may align with or be incorporated into CB‑065‑2024, which addresses disposal and repurposing of County‑owned properties and could serve as an appropriate legislative vehicle.
Special Instructions/Concerns/Time Critical Information:
Please assign to Kathleen Canning.
Agencies or Individuals to Contact:
• Prince George’s County Council Administration
• Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
• County agencies involved in land disposition and development approvals
Comments/Notes:
Title
AN ACT concerning Public Land Affordability Requirement for the purpose of requiring residential developments built on County-owned land to include affordable housing units; establishing a “Public Land Affordability Requirement” that ensures that any residential development of ten or more units on County-owned property dedicates at least one-third of the units as affordable for the life of the development as secured through long-term affordability covenants; and generally regarding affordable housing on County-owned land.
DRAFTER PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Proposer(s): Chair Oriadha
Background
(Official Legislative Background Information for Agenda Item Summary)
Prince George’s County continues to face increasing housing costs and limited availability of long‑term affordable units. When residential developments occur on County‑owned land, there is a unique opportunity to secure permanent affordability at the point of new construction-an opportunity not currently required or guaranteed under existing law. This bill concerns the Public Land Affordability Requirement for the purpose of requiring residential developments built on County-owned land to include affordable housing units. This ensures that any residential development of ten or more units on County-owned property dedicates at least one-third of the units as affordable for the life of the development as secured through long-term affordability covenants.
REMINDER: Attach the Legislative file document