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Greater Baltimore

Fast Facts:

  • The Greater Baltimore Region was home to 2,834,316 people and had 1,204,586 housing units in 2023. Since 2010, Greater Baltimore Region has added an average of 9,300 people and 5,500 housing units per year.
  • Thirty-three percent of households were renters and 51 percent of renters had unaffordable housing costs.
  • Greater Baltimore built 6,980 units in 2024; an estimated 8,178 units are needed annually to meet future housing demand. Cumulatively, Greater Baltimore has produced at least 15,490 units since 2022.
  • 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 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 (2019-23), 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

    Preservation Inventory - Unsubsidized

      Rental Assistance Demonstration

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

      Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Homeowners

      • The City of Baltimore
      • Baltimore County
      • Howard County

      Energy Efficiency Upgrades of Affordable Housing

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

      02,0004,0006,0008,00010,000Units1,5783,9651,0421,9253,2453,735Greater Baltimore202220232024
      Multifamily
      Single-family

      Note: The City of Baltimore did not report total units built in 2023.

      Affordability of Housing

      Share of units affordable to households with low incomes

      020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimore36%11%
      2022
      2023
      2024

      Note: The City of Baltimore did not report total units built in 2023.

      Housing Cost: Lowest

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

      0100200300400500Units GreaterBaltimore4017826
      2022
      2023
      2024

      Housing Cost: Low

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

      0100200300400500Units GreaterBaltimore011786
      2022
      2023
      2024

      Housing Cost: Low-Middle

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

      02004006008001,000Units GreaterBaltimore96776622
      2022
      2023
      2024

      Building Permits for New Construction

      Number of units permitted by type

      02,0004,0006,0008,00010,000Units1,8421,9012,2384,162Greater Baltimore202220232024
      Multifamily
      Single-family

      Affordable Housing in Development

      Number of units

      02,0004,0006,0008,00010,000Units5,8212,3715282,055919Greater Baltimore202220232024
      In the pipeline
      Under construction

      Affordable Housing Preservation

      Number of units preserved as committed affordable by type

      01,0002,0003,0004,0005,000Units301001,632Greater Baltimore202220232024
      Units with existing subsidies
      Units previously unsubsidized

      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, 2019-23

      $0$50,000$100,000$150,000$200,000$ GreaterBaltimoreRace and ethnicity$157,300$89,600$116,000$116,900$147,700
      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, 2019-23

      020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimoreRace and ethnicity69%47%54%56%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, 2023

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

      020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimoreRace and ethnicity3%23%9%12%53%
      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, 2023

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

      00.20.40.60.81Ratio GreaterBaltimore0.427

      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

      Rental Housing Cost Burden

      Renter households paying more than 30% of their monthly income in rent, 2019-23

      020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimoreRace and ethnicity42%53%52%53%45%
      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

      Owner Housing Cost Burden

      Owner households paying more than 30% of their monthly income in housing costs, 2019-23

      020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimoreRace and ethnicity23%27%24%23%18%
      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

      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, 2019-23

      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 2023.

      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 2019-23

      -10,000010,00020,00030,00040,00050,000Households GreaterBaltimoreIncome level6,720-5,2409,54027,88042,430
      Below 30%
      30-49.9%
      50-79.9%
      80-119.9%
      120-199.9%
      200% and above

      Note: Incomes are in 2023 dollars. Income categories reflect HUD Income Limits by household size for 2023.

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

      Renter Housing Supply by Cost

      Renter housing units by monthly housing cost, 2019-23

      020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimore16%31%38%9%
      $0-$899
      $900-$1,499
      $1,500-$2,299
      $2,300-$2,799
      $2,800-$3,299
      $3,300 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 2019-23

      -20,000020,00040,000Change in Units GreaterBaltimoreRent level-9,480-26,76036,28014,2002,5705,260
      $0-$899
      $900-$1,499
      $1,500-$2,299
      $2,300-$2,799
      $2,800-$3,299
      $3,300 and higher

      Note: Costs are in 2023 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, 2019-23

      020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimore51%

      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, 2019-23

      020406080100Per 100 households GreaterBaltimore38

      Note: Estimated number of units and vouchers is for 2024. Vouchers include federally-funded Housing Choice Vouchers and locally-funded vouchers where information was available. Income is for 2019-23 and based on the 2023 HUD Income Limits by family size.

      Source: American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS); HUD Picture of Subsidized Households 2024; 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, 2019-23

      010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,000Households GreaterBaltimoreIncome level56,42027,33027,77026,39022,58011,890
      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 2023. 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, 2019-23

      020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimore17%21%12%15%7%27%
      $0-$1,499
      $1,500-$2,299
      $2,300-$2,799
      $2,800-$3,299
      $3,300-$3,799
      $3,800 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, 2023

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

      020406080100Percent GreaterBaltimore36%27%
      0-80% of area median
      80-120% of area median income

      Source: Home Mortgage Disclosure Act

      Potential Homebuyers

      Number of potential homebuyers with low or moderate incomes by race and ethnicity, 2019-23

      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 ethnicity4,40035,2008,0003,90029,400
      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 2023. 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.

      The City of Baltimore
      • Population: 565,239
      • Housing units: 294,380
      • Percent of Households that rent: 52%
      • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 54%
      • Average growth per year: -5,000 people | -200 housing units
      • New units built in 2024: 3,500

      2024 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: 844,703
      • Housing units: 350,620
      • Percent of Households that rent: 34%
      • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 52%
      • Average growth per year: 3,000 people | 1,100 housing units
      • New units built in 2024: 562

      2024 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
      Anne Arundel County
      • Population: 594,582
      • Housing units: 237,831
      • Percent of Households that rent: 25%
      • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 48%
      • Average growth per year: 4,300 people | 1,900 housing units
      • New units built in 2024: 1,509

      2024 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: 40,552
      • Housing units: 19,186
      • Percent of Households that rent: 40%
      • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 46%
      • Average growth per year: 200 people | 100 housing units
      • New units built in 2024: 28

      2024 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: 336,001
      • Housing units: 126,187
      • Percent of Households that rent: 28%
      • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 48%
      • Average growth per year: 3,700 people | 1,300 housing units
      • New units built in 2024: 1,381

      2024 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: 176,639
      • Housing units: 66,748
      • Percent of Households that rent: 16%
      • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 48%
      • Average growth per year: 700 people | 300 housing units
      Harford County
      • Population: 264,644
      • Housing units: 106,419
      • Percent of Households that rent: 20%
      • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 48%
      • Average growth per year: 1,500 people | 800 housing units
      Queen Anne's County
      • Population: 52,508
      • Housing units: 22,401
      • Percent of Households that rent: 19%
      • Percent of renters with unaffordable housing costs: 51%
      • Average growth per year: 400 people | 200 housing units