OCEAN CITY, Md. — Gov. Wes Moore signaled Saturday that he will soon launch a new effort to tackle Maryland’s housing shortage, pledging to streamline state permitting, leverage public land, and reward counties that actively support new affordable housing projects.

“We must go faster on affordable housing,” Moore told a packed room of county leaders and Cabinet officials at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) summer conference in Ocean City. “If we want to build new bridges to wealth, bring down costs, and supercharge growth, we need to prioritize housing that’s affordable and located near jobs and transportation.”

The governor’s remarks come as housing affordability has become one of Maryland’s most pressing challenges. According to Moore, half of all renters in the state are paying more than 30% of their income on housing costs, pushing many families to the financial brink. Maryland currently ranks 43rd nationally in housing affordability, while the pace of new housing permits is nearly 40% lower than pre-2008 recession levels.

“And it’s not just our people who are hurting,” Moore said. “It’s Maryland’s housing market and economy.”

A Shift After a Setback

Moore had proposed housing legislation earlier this year, but the effort stalled in Annapolis following resistance from county governments represented by MACo. His renewed call suggests he plans to reintroduce housing policy as a central piece of his administration’s agenda heading into 2026.

The governor also hinted at offering incentives for local governments that actively support affordable housing initiatives. “This is the moment to reward those jurisdictions that are stepping up to be pro-housing … because everyone must participate for us to succeed,” Moore said.

The approach could set up new negotiations with counties, some of which have voiced frustration with Moore’s housing team. Earlier this week, several county leaders complained they were excluded from a state-led housing policy meeting during the conference, deepening tensions between the administration and local officials.

Balancing Policy and Politics

Moore’s focus on housing was the most detailed policy point in a more than 30-minute keynote speech that otherwise highlighted his administration’s accomplishments and touched on broader national issues.

Unlike his first two summer addresses to MACo, which centered on sobering budget realities, Moore this year only briefly noted the successful elimination of a $3.3 billion structural deficit. He used much of his time to stress leadership during what he described as an era “steeped in danger and laced with uncertainty.”

“The truth is we are going to lead through this moment, knowing that history has taught us that there is only two things that can get us through difficult moments: God’s grace and steady leadership,” he said.

Moore also drew contrasts with Washington policies, criticizing — though not by name — Republican President Donald Trump. “Look, I understand that some people view Maryland as a ‘deep-blue state,’” Moore said. “But these policies from D.C. are hurting Democrats and Republicans.”

While some in the audience responded with agreement, others remained quiet, underscoring the political divide between Maryland’s urban and suburban Democratic strongholds and its more conservative rural regions.

Housing as a Central Test

By making housing affordability the centerpiece of his conference address, Moore elevated the issue to one of the defining challenges of his administration. With Maryland’s housing market increasingly strained and development slowed by regulatory and land-use hurdles, the governor’s upcoming policy proposals could shape the state’s growth for years to come.

Moore made clear that urgency will drive his agenda: “We must move with the speed that shows them we understand how fast things are breaking in their lives.”

Originally reported by Bryan P. Sears in Maryland Matters.