Bethesda Magazine reported today on the Mayor and Council’s decision not to move forward with rent control in Rockville but to continue working towards other paths towards housing affordability.

For me, the significance of this vote is not simply that Rockville rejected one particular proposal. Rather, the importance of this vote is that we chose a different approach to addressing housing affordability.

There was never a question, for me, about whether Rockville should do more to support renters. The question before the Coucil was how we can best support renters. I believe our responsibility is to pursue policies that protect renters while also encouraging the new housing, investment, and economic growth necessary to keep Rockville affordable over the long term.

That means increasing housing supply, expanding affordable housing opportunities, strengthening protections for renters, and addressing unfair rental practices rather than adopting a policy that can discourage the very investment needed to expand housing choices.

I was pleased that the Mayor and Council supported my motion directing our efforts toward those broader solutions. Rockville can be strongly pro-renter while also recognizing that housing policy must work over the long term.

Read the Bethesda Magazine coverage:

bethesdamagazine.com

The city of Rockville won’t be implementing rent control measures this year following the City Council’s vote Monday.