Montgomery council torn over 6% rent cap compromise

An urgent debate over how best to protect low-income renters in Montgomery County, where the median household income is $117,345 but 8.5 percent of residents live in poverty, has pitted the interests of tenant advocates against developers and landlords — and has split the County Council. The heated dispute over a rent stabilization measure has fractured alliances and forged new coalitions on the council, as powerful real estate interests and vocal tenant advocates have jockeyed to sway the body.