Rent Stabilization as a Path to Affordable Housing in Frederick County
Rent stabilization could provide an opportunity for more affordable housing in Frederick City/County—especially given the clear mismatch between rising rents and stagnant incomes.
Summary: Challenges to Affordable Housing
From 2018 to 2023, rents in Frederick County rose by 33%, while median income increased by just 23%. As a result, nearly half of renter households (47%) are cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing. For many, rent now consumes over 50% of their income. The following statistics illustrate some of the problems associated with renting in Frederick County.
- 26% of all households in Frederick County are cost-burdened
- 47% of renters are cost-burdened
- 23% of renters spend more than half of their income on rent
- 20,000+ households in Frederick County cannot afford local rent levels
This escalating burden disproportionately affects residents working in the county’s most common occupations—sales, food service, janitorial, and administrative support—whose wages cannot keep up with market rents.
Key Data Points:
|
Occupation |
Median Income |
Affordable Rent (30%) |
Current Median Rent ($2,750) |
Monthly Gap |
|
Sales |
$29,157 |
$729 |
$2,750 |
-$2,021 |
|
Cashier |
$27,567 |
$689 |
$2,750 |
-$2,061 |
|
Fast Food |
$28,796 |
$720 |
$2,750 |
-$2,030 |
|
Janitor |
$33,760 |
$844 |
$2,750 |
-$1,906 |
|
Admin Support |
$42,583 |
$1,065 |
$2,750 |
-$1,685 |
|
Laborers |
$45,077 |
$1,127 |
$2,750 |
-$1,623 |
Why Affordable Housing Matters:
- Stabilizes families, especially children, supporting better educational outcomes
- Allows seniors to age in place and reduces the strain on fixed-income households
- Supports economic growth by helping employers retain workers
- Keeps younger generations living and working in their home communities
Benefits of Rent Stabilization:
Rent stabilization is a temporary but necessary measure to prevent displacement while long-term affordable housing solutions are developed that will:
- Limits sharp rent increases while maintaining landlord returns
- Gives working families predictable housing costs
- Preserves community diversity and social stability
- Buys time for new development, zoning reform, and affordable housing construction
Conclusion
Frederick County cannot afford to lose working families, young adults, or seniors due to runaway housing costs. Rent stabilization is not the complete solution, but it is a crucial step toward building an equitable, stable, and economically resilient community.
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