Howard County housing plan would add affordable units, limit rent hikes

Motivated by soaring rental and home prices in the region, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball unveiled Wednesday a collection of housing proposals designed to ease the cost burden on county residents. Nicknamed the HOME Package, the policy bundle includes local legislation designed to curb Howard County rent prices; a bill that would help grow the area’s stock of moderately priced housing units by allowing the Howard County Housing Commission to partner with organizations to convert existing rental units to affordable units; and a state-level proposal that would enable the county to offer tax credits to property owners to incentivize new affordable units.