To: Garrett County’s Commissioners:

Stand Up for Housing for All!

            Garrett County is facing a housing crisis. Real estate values and sales around Deep Creek Lake have soared, second only to Montgomery County. Simultaneously, the inventory of affordable homes for working families with average income has dwindled. The stability of our communities is at risk. We simply will not build stronger neighborhoods if teachers, workers, public safety officers, medical workers and others cannot afford to live where they work.         

   We, the undersigned, residents of Garrett County, call upon our county commissioners to address this crisis with bold action.

            As a start, we propose: (1) The real estate transfer tax on the sales of residential properties valued at $500,000 or more be increased by 1%; (2) The $50,000 exemption on transfer taxes, now available to all sellers and buyers be limited to full-time residents.

            We request that all revenues from these measures be invested in assistance to first-time homebuyers with average incomes, rental assistance and/or other steps to address this crisis.