Maryland Governor Wes Moore Signs Executive Order Addressing 96,000-Unit Housing Shortage

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed an executive order titled "Housing Starts Here" aimed at addressing the state's 96,000-unit housing shortage by accelerating housing production and improving affordability. The order directs several state departments to identify state-owned properties for transit-oriented development, promotes government efficiency by reducing permitting timelines, and establishes a new housing ombudsman to facilitate communication between agencies, local governments, and developers. It also mandates coordinated housing production targets for the state, counties, and municipalities, with targets to be published starting in January 2026 and updated every five years. Additionally, the initiative includes the creation of annual Maryland Housing Leadership Awards to incentivize jurisdictions that advance their housing goals. Governor Moore emphasized the broader vision of the order as building a lasting legacy by moving faster to build competitive and affordable housing markets. This executive order builds on previous legislative efforts by the Moore-Miller Administration to make housing more accessible across Maryland.