Governor Wes Moore’s recent executive order marks a bold step toward addressing Maryland’s deepening housing crisis. With a current shortage of over 96,000 units—and projections showing a need for nearly 600,000 more by 2045—the scale of the challenge is massive.
And while Moore’s plan is ambitious, experts and local leaders agree: catching up will take years.
The order aims to speed up housing development by streamlining permitting, setting clear production targets, and leveraging state-owned land. It also introduces a state housing ombudsman to help cut through red tape. These are important first steps, but they won’t yield overnight results.
Still, Moore’s approach reflects a long-term commitment to equity and smart growth. By laying the groundwork now, Maryland can begin to reverse decades of underbuilding and restrictive land use policies. The road ahead is long, but the journey has begun—and it’s one the state can’t afford to delay.
Read more about the executive order and what it means for Maryland in this Baltimore Sun article: Moore plans to ‘supercharge’ affordable housing. The crisis will still take years to resolve.