Moore unveils transit-focused housing bills to unlock 7,000 units

Governor Wes Moore launched his 2026 legislative agenda on Jan. 7 with a push to concentrate housing around transit and simplify rules that slow construction. Speaking at a joint development announcement at the Capitol Heights Metro station, Moore backed three bills designed to accelerate housing production, eliminate certain parking mandates and give the state more power to place homes on land near rail and transit hubs. Officials said the package could unlock roughly 300 acres near transit and support as many as 7,000 new housing units statewide.

The centerpiece, the Maryland Transit & Housing Opportunity Act of 2026, would remove minimum parking requirements for qualifying transit-oriented developments, encourage mixed-use projects at key stations and expand state authority to develop state-owned parcels close to transit. The Housing Certainty Act of 2026 targets bureaucratic delays that can stall construction, streamlining approvals and permitting timelines. A companion set of incentives would encourage smaller-unit layouts and prioritize state-owned sites near rail and major transit corridors for housing.

State housing officials framed the measures as an effort to align zoning, financing and transit planning so projects can move faster and use land more efficiently. The governor positioned the bills as a way to increase supply, reduce outward sprawl and better leverage state assets to meet demand for homes in walkable, transit-rich neighborhoods.

For Baltimore residents, the proposed laws matter because they could change how and where new housing is built throughout the region. Baltimore has long grappled with affordability pressures and the need to direct growth into existing neighborhoods and along transit corridors rather than expanding car-dependent suburbs. If enacted, the bills could make it easier for developers to build denser, mixed-use projects near Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, MARC stations and high-frequency bus routes, potentially increasing rental and ownership options within the city.

There are practical tensions to come: local zoning controls, neighborhood concerns about density and parking, and the politics of transferring development authority to the state could all shape outcomes. Streamlining approvals may lower costs for builders, but community engagement will determine whether new projects reflect neighborhood priorities and preserve local character.

The proposal also aligns Baltimore with a broader international trend favoring compact, transit-oriented growth as a tool to reduce emissions and improve access to jobs and services. The legislative calendar will determine how quickly these ideas move from proposal to practice.

The takeaway? Keep an eye on hearings and planning meetings this session, weigh in with your council members, and consider how transit proximity might affect housing choices in your neighborhood. Our two cents? If you want more housing near transit that actually serves long-time residents, add your voice early — it’s where policy and community shape the city together.