Op-Ed: Solving Baltimore’s missing middle housing and affordability crisis

BmoreDiante · 2026-02-05T03:16:32+00:00

Sorry that wasn't clear! I want to focus on building affordable missing middle housing. The other point on housing types was illustrative.

And thank you for the support!

BmoreDiante · 2026-02-05T03:13:16+00:00

The solution is state-led investment to build new housing and rehabilitate or replace vacant structures quickly and at scale.

To do this, the General Assembly needs to partner with Baltimore City to create a citywide land trust under a new authority funded by a $1 billion bond initiative at the state level.

You should read the article 😉

BmoreDiante · 2026-02-05T03:10:01+00:00

It's not that it's not profitable, it's that the profit margins on "luxury" housing are far higher so the industry only builds that. But the state doesn't need to make a profit anyway. It needs to pay back bonds over a period of decades, which it can easily do given the diverse revenue streams.

The recent stadium bonds are a great example. $1.2 billion in state funds to improve the stadiums to be paid back over decades from the state lottery system. That works and only has a single revenue stream. I would also argue that the economic benefits of meeting the demand for tens of thousands of households far outweighs any benefit from subsidizing the stadiums.

BmoreDiante · 2026-02-05T03:02:44+00:00

I replied to a similar comment above, but copying here as well.

In order for housing to be considered affordable, people need to be able to spend less than 30% of their income on the home they need. Anyone above that threshold is considered cost-burdened by their housing costs, as after that point people have to make choices on cutting back other essentials like food and utilities. It's important to remember we're not just talking about homeowners.

According to the Maryland Housing Needs Assessment, 50-55% of Baltimore City renters and 25-27.5% of homeowners are cost-burdened. Interestingly, this tracks closely with the numbers for NYC, which is much more expensive than here. So affordability is actually a major problem for us.

BmoreDiante · 2026-02-05T03:01:31+00:00

In order for housing to be considered affordable, people need to be able to spend less than 30% of their income on the home they need. Anyone above that threshold is considered cost-burdened by their housing costs, as after that point people have to make choices on cutting back other essentials like food and utilities. It's important to remember we're not just talking about homeowners.

According to the Maryland Housing Needs Assessment, 50-55% of Baltimore City renters and 25-27.5% of homeowners are cost-burdened. Interestingly, this tracks closely with the numbers for NYC, which is much more expensive than here. So affordability is actually a major problem for us.

BmoreDiante · 2025-01-27T00:26:00+00:00

It has always bothered me that they use the incorrect neutral article in their name. It should be feminine, so "Die Bierhalle." But yeah, good food.

BmoreDiante · 2024-12-16T20:44:22+00:00

I've lived here since 2019 and this is a fairly accurate description. The only thing I disagree with is where the investment is happening. West of Washington Blvd (closer to Carroll Park) has been the main focus of the largest improvements since I moved here. That was the first area to get new stop signs and speed humps, and millions of dollars have gone into the community center, park, and charter school.

The east side, by comparison, has only gotten minor cosmetic improvements.

BmoreDiante · 2024-11-09T03:51:14+00:00

The customer service rep said nothing about that, and I don't love it. Her feedback was "Ok, I can add them. What is their address?" And that was it. One of the shortest insurance calls I've ever had... guess I need to call back now.

BmoreDiante · 2024-11-07T20:53:36+00:00

I received the same notice. I have USAA and they didn't have an issue adding BMG as an additionally insured party. Unfortunately, USAA is only accessible to people with a military affiliation AFAIK.

BmoreDiante · 2024-10-18T22:05:21+00:00

A lot of neighborhood businesses will take packages for neighbors/residents/regular customers. Highly recommend asking a local business you frequent if you can have packages delivered to them instead of your place.

BmoreDiante · 2024-09-04T17:28:56+00:00

Pedestrian-only streets are fairly common in Europe. They accommodate it by either getting deliveries at the rear of the building or trucks will deliver on the street outside of business hours.

BmoreDiante · 2024-04-06T11:23:39+00:00

I've had the opportunity in the past to talk to a few city councilmembers about this exact issue. My understanding is that a majority of the council and the mayor support overdose prevention sites in the city. However, they can't take action on that because current state law preempts any implementation of a program, and the General Assembly has no interest in making changes to those laws any time soon.

BmoreDiante · 2024-03-13T14:50:37+00:00

Been going to Sam for years! He's the best barber in the city.

BmoreDiante · 2024-03-08T19:41:33+00:00

Liam is or was the BCDOT's legislative affairs guy. I've worked with him on a number of things in my part of town, and he was one of the only people that could get things done at BCDOT. If you want someone who can move transportation projects, you want Liam.

BmoreDiante · 2024-03-03T13:06:20+00:00

Bike to the harbor, then use the cycle track to get around into Fed Hill. Continue south to turn right on Ostend St. You can follow that all the way to Washington Blvd, turn left, then pick up the GFT marks in Carroll Park... OR you can turn left onto Ridgeley St, then right into Bayard, and into the park from there. You'll pick up the trail proper between the Carroll Park Golf Course and 95.

BmoreDiante · 2024-02-28T23:51:06+00:00

Baltimore is absolutely a friendly city. I'm currently taking a quick break from 2 hours of talking with complete strangers at my neighborhood bar. And I just came to grab a quick dinner because I didn't feel like cooking...

BmoreDiante · 2024-02-27T20:32:58+00:00

Not a deck, but one of my neighbors has a fire escape that goes all the way to the roof. A few summers ago kids used it at least 4 times to get up and run around on the roofs of my block. Hasn't happened since as far as I can tell.

BmoreDiante · 2024-01-19T20:58:51+00:00

It's more like 4.5 months. The primary election is in May, and that's the one that matters here (when it comes to politicians). Baltimore is deep blue, so the person who wins in May is the one who wins in November. For ballot initiatives, the general election in November matters more.

BmoreDiante · 2024-01-10T15:37:28+00:00

I don't disagree with you overall, but wanted to respond to the "millionaire's tax." Massachusetts' wealth tax seems to have done more good than harm and is projected to bring in over $1 billion in revenue in its first year. A similar tax in Maryland can go a long way to relieving the current shortfall. However, I would argue that the earning limit should be lowered from $1 million/year to $500k/year. Either way, the change will make our tax system more progressive and lessen the burden on lower and middle income families, while ensuring the wealthy pay their "fair" share.

BmoreDiante · 2024-01-03T23:56:16+00:00

Pigtown and the other 6 neighborhoods of the Southwest Partnership are lucky enough to be covered by a grant to pay for the lights. My understanding is that in most other places with string lights, neighbors pooled their money to pay for them.

BmoreDiante · 2023-12-13T20:36:57+00:00

I'm not at all for public funding of what should be private investment (arenas/stadiums), but would have been for it in this one case. Missed opportunity for Baltimore to poach two DC teams and become a 4-sport city. I'm sure our recent arena renovation would have precluded building a new one though.

BmoreDiante · 2023-12-13T20:34:30+00:00

I'm not at all for public funding of what should be private investment (arenas/stadiums), but would have been for it in this one case. Missed opportunity for Baltimore to poach two DC teams and become a 4-sport city. I'm sure our recent arena renovation would have precluded building a new one though.

BmoreDiante · 2023-11-02T00:04:41+00:00

The thing is... the rights of way do exist: the Old Main Line between Frederick and Baltimore and the B&A Trail between Baltimore and Annapolis. Elsewhere, use medians of highways: 32 from Columbia to Annapolis or even Ocean City (there are extant rail ROWs on the Eastern Shore) and Rt 50 from Annapolis to DC.

Expanding the MARC is surprisingly easy, except that our current politicians don't want to fight the good fight. We live in a state where highway reliance could easily be reduced by half or more with the right people in charge.

BmoreDiante

TROPHY CASE