MPDU Elsewhere

What is MPDU Elsewhere?  An MPDU (Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit)  is a housing unit that has a sales price affordable to households with moderate incomes.  Why "elsewhere?" Simply because we do not yet have an Inclusionary Zoning program in Washington County.

HAWC's mission is to provide decent, safe and affordable housing solutions that strengthen our community by focusing on local needs.  Homeownership may not yet be in the reach of our moderate income families.

So, in a recent letter to the editor of the Herald Mail in Hagerstown, MD, Executive Director Richard Willson wrote, I am convinced that the lowest cost way of creating a dependable supply of rental and ownership opportunities that match the pocket books of those who live and work here in Washington County is the moderately priced dwelling unit (MPDU) approach. While local government does not own extra building lots here and there, they do “own” zoning regulations. If developers were required to build a certain percentage of affordable units in each subdivision (typically 12-15%), but were given permission to include extra building lots (as a “density bonus” typically up to 22%) to offset the required price reductions builders could become part of the affordable housing solution. This approach has been used in Montgomery County since 1973, and more recently was copied by our neighbor Frederick County. In fairness to developers, a newly enacted MPDU ordinance does not apply to units already well into the planning process. If the development process takes a couple of years, wouldn’t it be a good idea for us to get an MPDU process of our own started sooner rather than later?!

Frederick County’s Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit program (MPDU)

Inclusionary zoning as adopted by the City of San Jose, California. (Look at the links in the left-hand column under the words, “Inclusionary Housing”)