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Greater Baltimore

Fast Facts:

  • The Greater Baltimore region was home to 2,835,672 people and had 1,201,125 housing units in 2022. Since 2010, Greater Baltimore has added an average of 10,200 people and 5,600 housing units per year.
  • Thirty-three percent of households were renters and 50% percent of renters had unaffordable housing costs.
  • Greater Baltimore needs an estimated 8,178 units annually to meet future housing demand.
  • Greater Baltimore includes the cities of Annapolis and Baltimore, and the counties of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, and Queen Anne’s in Maryland. The cities of cities of Annapolis and Baltimore, and the counties of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Howard share data for the HIT.
Sources: Census Population and Housing Unit Estimates, Decennial Census, American Community Survey (2018-22), and the HIT survey of local jurisdictions.
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Policy Status

Solving the region's affordable housing crisis requires a portfolio of policies to preserve existing affordable housing, produce more housing, and protect people from discrimination and displacement.

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Right of First Refusal

  • The City of Baltimore
  • Howard County

Preservation Inventory - Subsidized

  • Anne Arundel County
  • City of Annapolis
  • The City of Baltimore

Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized

    Rental Assistance Demonstration

    • Anne Arundel County
    • City of Annapolis
    • The City of Baltimore
    • Howard County

    Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners

    • Anne Arundel County
    • City of Annapolis
    • Baltimore County
    • The City of Baltimore
    • Howard County

    Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing

    • Anne Arundel County
    • Baltimore County
    • The City of Baltimore
    • Howard County

    Housing Outcomes

    Local jurisdictions submitted data to enable the region to track housing production, preservation, and rental affordability.

    Amount of Housing

    Number of units built by type

    02,0004,0006,0008,00010,000Units1,5783,9651,0421,925Greater Baltimore20222023
    Multifamily
    Single-family

    Note: The City of Baltimore reported total units built in 2022.

    Housing Cost: Lowest

    Units built affordable to households with incomes 0-29.9% of area median

    0100200300400500Units GreaterBaltimore40178
    2022
    2023

    Housing Cost: Low

    Units built affordable to households with incomes 30-49.9% of area median

    0100200300400500Units GreaterBaltimore0117
    2022
    2023

    Housing Cost: Low-Middle

    Units built affordable to households with incomes 50-79.9% of area median

    02004006008001,000Units GreaterBaltimore96776
    2022
    2023

    Building Permits for New Construction

    Number of units permitted by type

    01,0002,0003,0004,0005,000Units1,8421,901Greater Baltimore20222023
    Multifamily
    Single-family

    Note: Baltimore County and the City of Baltimore did not report building permits.

    Affordable Housing in Development

    Number of units

    02,0004,0006,0008,00010,000Units5,8212,371528Greater Baltimore20222023
    In the pipeline
    Under construction

    Note: Baltimore County and the City of Baltimore did not report on the development pipeline in 2023.

    Affordable Housing Preservation

    Number of units preserved as committed affordable by type

    05001,0001,5002,000Units30100Greater Baltimore20222023
    Units with existing subsidies
    Units previously unsubsidized

    Note: Baltimore County did not report on preservation activity in 2023 and the City of Baltimore did not report in either year.

    Structural Racism

    Discriminatory actions and racist public policies have produced inequitable outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and people of color in the Washington region, including lower incomes and wealth, lower homeownership rates, and higher rates of housing cost burden.

    Income

    Average household income by race and ethnicity, 2018-22

    $0$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$ GreaterBaltimoreRace and ethnicity$147,800$86,500$110,700$112,900$142,600
    Asian or Pacific Islander
    Black
    Hispanic/Latinx
    Indigenous, Other or Multiple Race
    White

    Note: Categories are not mutually exclusive. People identifying as Hispanic may also be represented in other bars except white.

    Source: American Community Survey

    Homeownership

    Homeownership rate by race and ethnicity, 2018-22

    020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimoreRace and ethnicity68%47%55%57%78%
    Asian or Pacific Islander
    Black
    Hispanic/Latinx
    Indigenous, Other or Multiple Race
    White

    Note: Categories are not mutually exclusive. People identifying as Hispanic may also be represented in other bars except white.

    Source: American Community Survey

    Homebuying

    Share of mortgage originations by race and ethnicity, 2022

    For first-lien owner-occupied home purchases of 1-4 unit dwellings

    020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimoreRace and ethnicity3%24%7%12%54%
    Asian or Pacific Islander
    Black
    Hispanic/Latinx
    Indigenous or Multiple race
    White

    Note: Categories are mutually exclusive, borrowers identifying as Hispanic are not also represented in a race category. For mortgages with an applicant and a co-applicant, if they identify the same way they are captured in that category, otherwise if they have different identities they would be included in the Indigenous or Multiple race category.

    Source: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

    Credit Denials

    Ratio of denial rates for mortgages between white borrowers and borrowers of color, 2022

    For first-lien owner-occupied home purchases of 1-4 unit dwellings

    00.20.40.60.81Ratio GreaterBaltimore0.414

    Note: If White borrowers and borrowers of Color were denied mortgages at the same rate we would expect to see a ratio equal to 1. Values under 1 indicate that borrowers of Color have higher denial rates than White borrowers.

    Source: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

    Housing Cost Burden

    Renter households paying more than 30% of their monthly income in rent, 2018-22

    020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimoreRace and ethnicity45%54%53%55%46%
    Asian or Pacific Islander
    Black
    Hispanic/Latinx
    Indigenous, Other or Multiple Race
    White

    Note: Categories are not mutually exclusive. People identifying as Hispanic may also be represented in other bars except white. Households paying more than 30 percent of their monthly income in housing costs are considered to be cost burdened.

    Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

    Housing Context

    Understanding how household incomes relate to the supply of affordable rental and homeownership units will inform jurisdictions' efforts to meet the current and future housing needs of residents.

    Household Income

    Distribution of households by income level relative to the area median income, 2018-22

    020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimore14%11%15%21%23%16%
    Below 30%
    30-49.9%
    50-79.9%
    80-119.9%
    120-199.9%
    200% and above

    Note: Income categories reflect HUD Income Limits by household size for 2022.

    Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

    Change in Household Income

    Change in households by income level relative to the area median income, 2008-12 to 2018-22

    -10,000010,00020,00030,00040,00050,000Households GreaterBaltimoreIncome level2,320-7,010-3,8509,14027,23043,320
    Below 30%
    30-49.9%
    50-79.9%
    80-119.9%
    120-199.9%
    200% and above

    Note: Incomes are in 2022 dollars. Income categories reflect HUD Income Limits by household size for 2022.

    Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

    Renter Housing Supply by Cost

    Renter housing units by monthly housing cost, 2018-22

    020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimore17%34%34%10%
    $0-$899
    $900-$1,499
    $1,500-$2,199
    $2,200-$2,699
    $2,700-$3,199
    $3,200 and higher

    Note: Rental costs include the contractual monthly rent payment plus any additional costs to the tenant for utilities and fees.

    Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

    Change in Renter Housing Supply by Cost

    Change in renter housing units by monthly housing cost, 2008-12 to 2018-22

    -20,000-10,000010,00020,00030,000Change in Units GreaterBaltimoreRent level-8,760-20,16030,35013,9403,570
    $0-$899
    $900-$1,499
    $1,500-$2,199
    $2,200-$2,699
    $2,700-$3,199
    $3,200 and higher

    Note: Costs are in 2022 dollars. Rental costs include the contractual monthly rent payment plus any additional costs to the tenant for utilities and fees.

    Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

    Housing Cost Burden

    Renter households paying more than 30% of their monthly income in rent, 2018-22

    020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimore50%

    Note: Households paying more than 30 percent of their monthly income in housing costs are considered to be cost burdened.

    Source: American Community Survey

    Deeply Affordable Units

    Estimated number of public housing units and vouchers relative to renter households with incomes below 30% of area median, 2018-22

    020406080100Per 100 households GreaterBaltimore37

    Note: Estimated number of units and vouchers is for 2022. Vouchers include federally-funded Housing Choice Vouchers and locally-funded vouchers where information was available. Income is for 2018-22 and based on the 2022 HUD Income Limits by family size.

    Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS); HUD Picture of Subsidized Households 2022; and HUD HCVP Power BI Dashboard

    Need for Accessible Units

    Number of households with one or more people with a disability by income level relative to the area median, 2018-22

    010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,000Households GreaterBaltimoreIncome level54,97027,68027,57028,09022,44012,180
    Below 30%
    30-49.9%
    50-79.9%
    80-119.9%
    120-199.9%
    200% and above

    Note: Income categories reflect HUD Income Limits by household size for 2022. People will a disability includes those with cognitive disabilities, physical or self-care disabilities, ambulatory disabilities, independent living difficulties, vision disabilities, or hearing disabilities.

    Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

    Homeowner Housing Supply by Cost

    Owner housing units by monthly housing cost for a first-time homebuyer, 2018-22

    020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimore26%24%14%12%6%19%
    $0-$1,499
    $1,500-$2,199
    $2,200-$2,699
    $2,700-$3,199
    $3,200-$3,699
    $3,600 and higher

    Note: Costs for owner housing were calculated as the monthly payment for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage for 90 percent of the market value to the unit, along with estimates of other monthly costs including mortgage insurance, taxes, utilities, and fees.

    Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

    Affordable Homebuying

    Share of mortgage originations to households with moderate incomes and below, 2022

    For first-lien owner-occupied home purchases of 1-4 unit dwellings

    020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimore38%28%
    0-80% of AMI
    80-120% of AMI

    Source: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

    Potential Homebuyers

    Number of potential homebuyers with low or moderate incomes by race and ethnicity, 2018-22

    For renter households with a head of household age 45 years or younger and incomes between 50-120% of AMI

    010,00020,00030,00040,000Households GreaterBaltimoreRace and ethnicity4,60033,0006,0003,80031,100
    Asian or Pacific Islander
    Black
    Hispanic/Latinx
    Indigenous, Other or Multiple Race
    White

    Note: Categories are mutually exclusive, borrowers identifying as Hispanic are not also represented in a race category. Income categories reflect HUD Income Limits by household size for 2022. Renter households with a head of household under age 22 were excluded.

    Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)

    Participating Jurisdictions

    Local jurisdictions submitted data to enable the region to track housing production, preservation, and rental affordability.

    Anne Arundel County
    • Population: 593,286
    • Housing units: 236,500
    • Percent of Households that rent: 25%
    • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 47%
    • Average growth per year: 4,500 people | 2,000 housing units
    • New units built in 2023: 1,052

    2023 Housing Outcomes

    010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
    • Right of First Refusal
    • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
    • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
    • Rental Assistance Demonstration
    • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
    • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
    City of Annapolis
    • Population: 40,648
    • Housing units: 18,400
    • Percent of Households that rent: 40%
    • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 50%
    • New units built in 2023: 24

    2023 Housing Outcomes

    010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
    • Right of First Refusal
    • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
    • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
    • Rental Assistance Demonstration
    • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
    • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
    Baltimore County
    • Population: 846,161
    • Housing units: 351,142
    • Percent of Households that rent: 33%
    • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 52%
    • Average growth per year: 3,400 people | 1,300 housing units
    • New units built in 2023: 679

    2023 Housing Outcomes

    010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
    • Right of First Refusal
    • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
    • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
    • Rental Assistance Demonstration
    • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
    • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
    The City of Baltimore
    • Population: 569,931
    • Housing units: 293,911
    • Percent of Households that rent: 52%
    • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 52%

    2023 Housing Outcomes

    010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
    • Right of First Refusal
    • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
    • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
    • Rental Assistance Demonstration
    • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
    • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
    Howard County
    • Population: 335,411
    • Housing units: 125,809
    • Percent of Households that rent: 28%
    • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 45%
    • Average growth per year: 3,900 people | 1,300 housing units
    • New units built in 2023: 1,212

    2023 Housing Outcomes

    010020030040050060070080090010000-29.9% AMI30-49.9% AMI50-79.9% AMI
    • Right of First Refusal
    • Preservation Inventory - Subsidized
    • Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized
    • Rental Assistance Demonstration
    • Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners
    • Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing
    Carroll County
    • Population: 175,305
    • Housing units: 66,542
    • Percent of Households that rent: 17%
    • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 46%
    • Average growth per year: 700 people | 300 housing units
    Harford County
    • Population: 263,867
    • Housing units: 105,217
    • Percent of Households that rent: 20%
    • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 47%
    • Average growth per year: 1,600 people | 800 housing units
    Queen Anne’s County
    • Population: 51,711
    • Housing units: 22,004
    • Percent of Households that rent: 19%
    • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 52%
    • Average growth per year: 300 people | 200 housing units