Frederick City Elected Officials Continue To Discuss Wormans Mill Court Project

It’s expected to bring more affordable housing to the city.Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick City elected officials are discussing the Wormans Mill Court affordable housing project. It’s planned for some property near Routes 15 and 26, and is expected to result in 315 housing units.Mayor Michael O’Connor says this brings up the issue of how to create more affordable housing in Frederick and other parts of Maryland. “Because we’re really trying to create opportunities to incentivize some affordable housing. What we know from the State of Maryland is that Maryland is about 100,000 housing units short of the number it needs just to support the people who already live here,” he said.Mayor O’Connor, who spoke recently on WFMD’s “Morning News Express,” said there are certain members of the population who find it difficult to afford a place to live. “Teachers who are just starting out. Police officers who are just starting out. Fire fighters who are just starting out. That’s one of the areas with the lack of inventory and the re-sale market.   The new inventory is the only thing that’s driving new homes right now, and new housing opportunities, and those are the more expensive options,” he says.”Existing homes on the market; you’re still not seeing a normal market in that regard, and that drives prices up,” he continues.But Mayor O’Connor says there is some hope on the horizon. “Interest rates are coming down. The Fed signaled an interest rate coming before the end of year–maybe even two. All of those things are positive developments as we look to try at least crack that piece of housing affordability,” he said.The proposed Wormans Mill Court development is expected to be discussed at a Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting on September 5th, when elected officials are expected to decide on whether to rezone the property.By Kevin McManus