Marcellus Crews
Q: Your Vision for Housing for People with Disabilities; Tell us what you have done and would
do to make housing for people with disabilities more accessible and more affordable in
Prince Georges County?
A: My Vision for Housing for People with Disabilities
Ensuring accessible and affordable housing for people with disabilities is a critical part of my
vision for smart urban and suburban growth in Prince George’s County. My focus is on creating
inclusive, mixed-use communities that support independent living, accessibility, and economic
mobility for all residents, including those with disabilities.
What I Would Do:
1. Increase Truly Affordable & Accessible Housing
• Partner with developers to incentivize the construction of ADA-compliant, accessible housing in both
urban and suburban areas.
• Require that a higher percentage of new affordable housing developments include universal design
principles to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
• Ensure that new live-work spaces and mixed-use developments have barrier-free access and prioritize
public transit connectivity.
2. Leverage Technology for Smart & Supportive Housing
• Integrate smart home technology in affordable housing developments to enhance independent living for
people with disabilities.
• Promote the use of assistive technology grants to retrofit existing homes with voice-activated controls,
automated door systems, and remote monitoring solutions.
• Work with small businesses and tech firms to create innovation hubs for smart home accessibility
solutions.
3. Expand Housing Support & Workforce Pathways
• Strengthen rental assistance and homeownership programs for individuals with disabilities to ensure long
term housing stability.
• Create partnerships with local businesses to provide job training and entrepreneurship opportunities for
people with disabilities, ensuring they have access to economic growth and self-sufficiency.
• Advocate for funding and legislation that expands accessible, affordable housing initiatives at the county
and state level.
What I Have Done:
• As a son-in-law, I designed and my in-laws built an ADA-compliant home. My 91-year-old father-in-law
needed full accessibility in every part of the house. I’m proud to say they moved in sometime in during
October 2024.
• As a business leader, I have prioritized smart home and accessibility innovations in housing projects to
create affordable, tech-integrated living spaces.
• I have worked on economic development initiatives that support job creation and workforce pathways,
ensuring that residents—including those with disabilities—have the financial security to maintain stable
housing.
• I have consistently advocated for smart growth policies that integrate walkability, accessibility, and
inclusive housing into community planning.
By focusing on affordable, accessible housing, workforce integration, and smart technology solutions, I will
ensure that Prince George’s County is a leader in inclusive, forward-thinking housing solutions for people
with disabilities.
Q: Mainstream Housing Vouchers: Prince George’s County has faced challenges in securing
HUD mainstream vouchers to support individuals with disabilities. What steps would you
take to address these issues, and how would you ensure the county submits competitive
applications in the future?
A:Prince George’s County must proactively secure more HUD mainstream vouchers to support
individuals with disabilities. This requires a strategic, data-driven approach to ensure we submit
competitive applications and secure the necessary funding.
Steps I Would Take:
1. Strengthen County Applications for HUD Vouchers
• Establish a dedicated task force focused on tracking HUD funding cycles, improving grant applications,
and ensuring compliance with federal requirements.
• Work closely with nonprofits, housing authorities, and advocacy groups to collect comprehensive local
data that demonstrates the urgent need for vouchers in Prince George’s County.
• Implement some of my grant writers along with grant-writing training for county officials to improve the
quality and competitiveness of applications.
2. Increase Collaboration with Federal & State Agencies
• Build stronger partnerships with HUD and Maryland state housing agencies to stay ahead of funding
opportunities.
• Advocate for expanded state and federal support to supplement mainstream vouchers, ensuring more
individuals with disabilities receive housing assistance.
• Engage directly with congressional representatives to push for increased funding allocations for Prince
George’s County.
3. Expand Local Funding & Support Programs
• Develop a local voucher assistance fund to fill gaps in federal funding while awaiting new allocations.
• Leverage public-private partnerships to create more affordable, accessible housing options that work in
conjunction with mainstream vouchers.
• Work with landlords to expand participation in the voucher program by offering incentives and
streamlining the approval process.
4. Enhance Outreach & Support for Voucher Recipients
• Improve case management and navigation services to help individuals with disabilities secure housing
once they receive a voucher.
• Expand financial literacy and tenant rights programs to ensure recipients can successfully maintain long
term housing.
By taking these steps, I will ensure that Prince George’s County submits stronger, more competitive HUD
applications, secures more vouchers, and expands accessible, affordable housing opportunities for
individuals with disabilities.
Q: Settlement Agreement Compliance: As you may know, the county remains under a
settlement agreement with Disability Rights Maryland due to past discrimination against
individuals with disabilities in public housing. While some progress has been made, there are
ongoing obligations, such as creating accessible units. How would you prioritize meeting
these commitments?
Prince George’s County must fully meet its obligations under the settlement agreement with
Disability Rights Maryland to correct past discrimination and ensure individuals with disabilities
have equal access to public housing. While some progress has been made, we must accelerate
compliance efforts and take a proactive approach to avoid further legal and ethical failures.
Steps I Would Take to Prioritize Compliance:
1. Fast-Track the Creation of Accessible Housing Units
• Establish a clear timeline with enforceable deadlines for the construction and retrofitting of ADA
compliant housing units.
• Increase accountability measures by requiring regular progress reports from the Housing Authority and
making them publicly accessible.
• Partner with private developers and nonprofits to accelerate the production of affordable, accessible
housing using incentives and public-private collaborations.
2. Strengthen Oversight & Compliance Mechanisms
• Appoint an independent compliance officer to monitor and enforce settlement commitments.
• Work directly with Disability Rights Maryland and advocacy groups to ensure continuous community
input and oversight.
• Implement regular audits of county housing programs to identify and address accessibility gaps.
3. Expand Housing Choice & Support Services
• Ensure that individuals with disabilities have real housing choices by expanding rental assistance programs
and voucher access.
• Improve case management services to help residents navigate housing applications, accessibility
modifications, and available support programs.
• Collaborate with state and federal agencies to secure additional funding for accessible unit development
and modification grants.
4. Educate & Engage Landlords
• Launch an awareness campaign to educate landlords about Fair Housing Act requirements and incentives
for renting to individuals with disabilities.
• Offer financial incentives to landlords who agree to retrofit units for accessibility and participate in the
voucher program.
Commitment to Full Compliance & Housing Equity
I will ensure Prince George’s County does not just meet—but exceeds—its settlement obligations, setting a
new standard for accessibility, inclusion, and accountability in public housing. Individuals with disabilities
deserve equal housing opportunities, and I will make this a top priority in my administration.
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