Governor Wes Moore announced a housing growth and affordability package for the 2026 legislative session focused on increasing housing production and lowering barriers to both building and buying homes in Maryland. The proposal was unveiled at Metro’s Capitol Heights station and included an emphasis on transit-oriented development, thus positioning housing construction near major transit hubs to increase supply, support ridership, and stimulate economic activity.
A central component of the package is the Maryland Transit & Housing Opportunity Act of 2026, which seeks to change zoning and financing rules to enable mixed-use development around transit stations. Key elements include:
- Removal of minimum parking requirements for qualifying projects near transit
- Expanded state authority over the development of land surrounding stations
- Expanded financial incentives for projects near high-quality transit corridors
State officials estimate the act could unlock 300+ acres of State-owned land, allowing for 7,000+ housing units and generating $1.4 billion in projected future tax revenue if built out. The administration frames this as leveraging existing transit investments to accelerate housing production and economic output.
Two additional bills were highlighted as part of the broader agenda:
- Starter and Silver Homes Act of 2026: Authorizes smaller-format homes and townhouses on smaller lots statewide to expand options for first-time buyers and seniors. State housing officials stated this could reduce price points by up to 30 percent.
- Housing Certainty Act of 2026: Sponsored by Sen. Malcolm Augustine and Del. Dylan Behler, the bill aims to prevent regulatory changes and fee shifts after project approval, addressing delays and cost overruns cited by developers.
Taken together, the administration describes the legislation as an extension of its prior “Housing Starts Here” executive order and describes the package as a strategy to increase statewide supply, modernize zoning rules, and reduce development risk heading into the 2026 legislative session.
