HOUSING STABILITY
Homes people can afford. Stay rooted. Protecting tenants, enforcing rent stabilization, and ensuring developers are accountable to communities—not just unit counts.
The Evidence
Breaking the Housing Industrial Complex. Appraisal bias devalues District 6 homes by up to $500,000 compared to identical homes in white neighborhoods—that's Wealth Theft. The PRSA rent cap and Rent Banking protect renters. Enforce by Feb 1, 2026.
Source: D6 Housing Report, Urban Institute, PRSA 2024
What's the Housing Industrial Complex?
Corporate interests extract wealth from our community—investors buy rental homes, minimize maintenance, and obscure ownership through shell companies. We're fighting for true housing equity that protects renters and preserves legacy homeowner wealth.
How does Rent Banking help me?
Rent Banking protects tenants while ensuring small mom-and-pop landlords can maintain safe properties. PRSA fee limits take effect Feb 1, 2026. Rent increases capped at 6% (4.5% for seniors). One-third of District 6 are renters—this gives predictability.
Behind the Stat: The 1:2 Displacement Ratio
When Dominique says “For every 1 townhouse developed, 2 families are priced out,” she is referencing the Displacement Pressure Multiplier. This is backed by three distinct economic phenomena observed in Prince George's County and similar “hot” markets.
The Displacement Multiplier Effect
For every new townhouse built, about 2 families are priced out—the displacement pressure multiplier.
The “1” (New Build)
1 high-end townhome ($650k+) creates a new “Comps” baseline for the block.
The “2” (Displaced)
Increased property taxes force 1 senior to sell; increased rental value forces 1 family to move.
The 3 Pillars of Research
Assessment Creep (The Homeowner Trap)
Source: M-NCPPC "Housing Opportunity for All" Strategy (2019/2024 Updates)
“When a cluster of luxury townhomes is built in an area with legacy housing, the 'Assessed Value' of the entire block rises. For a senior in District 6 on a fixed income, a $1,500 annual property tax hike isn't just an expense—it's an eviction notice.”
The Rent Ripple (Indirect Gentrification)
Source: The Urban Institute - "Housing Prince George's: High-Level Action Plan"
“New construction signals to existing landlords that the neighborhood can support 'luxury' prices. Even without upgrades, older apartments near new townhome sites increase rents by 8-15% annually to capture market hype, displacing 2+ workforce families for every 1 unit of new supply.”
Land Use Opportunity Cost (The "Density Deficit")
Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) - "Out of Reach" Maryland Data
“One townhouse footprint typically occupies enough land for 4 transit-oriented apartment units. By choosing a townhouse (1 unit) over a multi-family building (4 units), the county 'evicts' 3 potential families from the opportunity to live near transit before the building is even finished.”
Frequently Asked Questions
The Evidence-Based Talking Point
“When we say 1-to-2, we aren't just making it up. The M-NCPPC and Urban Institute data show that new luxury townhomes act as an economic 'heat map.' They drive up the property taxes of the grandma next door and give the landlord across the street an excuse to hike the rent. We are trading the stability of two legacy families for the profit of one new developer. That's not growth—that's a swap.”
Research & Data
Rent burden and displacement trends in District 6.
Townhouse Supply vs. Single-Family Home Value
New townhouse units added each year (left axis) compared to the single-family home value index (right axis). Supply is rising sharply while existing home values stay flat—townhouses mainly serve new buyers, not legacy homeowners.
Shift from Single Family to Townhomes (2016–2026)
Share of housing stock by type over time. Single-family (red) is declining as townhomes and multi-unit (blue) increase—this shift reflects new construction patterns that often leave existing homeowners behind.
Household Income Distribution
Share of District 6 households by income bracket. Nearly half earn under $75k and face the highest rent burden—policy must prioritize affordability for these families.
Sources:
- D6 Annual Housing Report
- Urban Institute
- M-NCPPC "Housing Opportunity for All"
- NLIHC "Out of Reach" Maryland Data
- Census tract data
THE PLAN
HOUSING STABILITY
HOUSING STABILITY FOR PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
Join Dominique in building a stronger, more equitable Prince George's County.
Read the full essayRelated: Expanding Pathways to HomeownershipRelated: Why Local Government Matters