Maryland REALTORS 2023 Poll Shows Community Concerns Over Lack Of Middle-Income Housing.

BALTIMORE COUNTY - Maryland REALTORS released a new poll where they asked Marylanders about the state of the housing market.

The poll results showed growing concerns over the lack of “missing middle” housing: a range of house-scale buildings with multiple units that are compatible in scale and form with detached single-family homes.

Maryland residents who earn too much income to qualify for subsidized housing struggle to find homes in the “missing middle” range. In the poll, 61% of those with moderate income say there is too little housing, an increase of 33% since January 2020.

Many of the survey’s questions focused on housing availability and affordability. The responses show that Marylanders are worried they won’t be able to find or afford a home:

• 76% of Maryland voters think the cost of buying a home in Maryland is too high, a 33% increase since 2020.

• 44% say there are too few homes to buy, an increase of 47% since 2020.

• The cost to rent a home is too high according to 80% of Maryland voters, an increase of 31% since 2020.

• 45% of Maryland voters think there are too few places to rent, an increase of 32% since 2020.

• 62% of Maryland voters with full-time jobs still do not make enough to afford a home.

• For young professionals, 72% say there is too little housing.

• For seniors and those with special needs, 60% say there is too little housing.

• For people with low incomes, 69% say there is too little housing.

“The results of this poll should be of concern to any Marylander who wants to call this great state home,” said Yolanda Muckle, 2023 President, Maryland REALTORS®. “Something else this poll revealed: 29% of Maryland voters—nearly a third—have considered moving out of state because the cost of housing is so prohibitive. Our state and local lawmakers can help on a variety of fronts, starting with statewide ADU legislation, but all of us need to do our part to make sure that anyone who wants a home can become a homeowner, that nobody is left behind.”