Maryland State Senator Alonzo Washington
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: I’ll prioritize creating more accessible and affordable housing units for people with disabilities, partnering with the Housing Authority, HIP, and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with federal regulations. I will bolster our county’s right of first refusal program and ensure that new housing is developed around major transit centers. I’ll also work to implement stronger policies addressing the needs of persons with disabilities in public housing, focusing on accessibility improvements and financial assistance programs. I helped establish the Housing Investment Trust Fund, which supports the development of new construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of existing workforce and affordable housing. I also created the National Capital Strategic Economic Development (NED) Fund, which provides millions in state funding for affordable housing projects inside the beltway.
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: As County Executive, I’d establish a dedicated team to craft competitive applications, leveraging our county’s unique needs and demographics, while also fostering partnerships with local disability advocacy groups to enhance our proposals. Additionally, I’d implement a proactive approach to identify and address any barriers that have hindered our success in previous applications, ensuring Prince George’s County is well-positioned to secure these crucial resources.
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?
A: I would make fulfilling our obligations under the settlement agreement with Disability Rights Maryland a top priority. I’d allocate resources to accelerate the creation of accessible units in public housing and implement a comprehensive plan to address past discrimination, including improved staff training and regular audits of our housing practices. As mentioned previously, I’d also establish a task force to enhance our applications for HUD mainstream vouchers.