Maryland Governor’s Housing Initiative Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Addressing the Housing Crisis through SDG 11

In a keynote address at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) summer conference, Governor Wes Moore announced forthcoming state actions to increase the supply of affordable housing. This initiative directly confronts challenges central to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which aims to ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing.

The Housing Crisis as a Barrier to Sustainable Development

Governor Moore presented several key statistics that underscore the urgency of the housing situation in Maryland, highlighting its negative impact on multiple SDGs. The current conditions present significant obstacles to achieving goals related to poverty, inequality, and economic growth.

• Impact on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Half of all renters in Maryland are cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing. This financial strain exacerbates poverty and deepens economic inequality.
• Challenge to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The state’s ranking of 43rd in housing affordability demonstrates a critical failure in providing adequate and affordable housing for its residents.
• Hindrance to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): A nearly 40% decrease in permitting for new housing units compared to pre-2008 levels stifles construction, a key economic sector, and limits the state’s overall economic potential.

Proposed State Actions for SDG 11

The governor outlined a three-pronged strategy to accelerate the development of affordable housing. These actions are designed to create a more efficient and supportive environment for housing projects, aligning with the targets of SDG 11.

1. Streamline State Permitting: To reduce delays and costs associated with new construction, the administration will focus on making the state-level approval process more efficient.
2. Leverage Public Land: State-owned land will be utilized for the development of new housing, a direct intervention to increase supply and potentially lower project costs.
3. Establish and Track Statewide Goals: The plan includes setting clear, measurable housing targets for the state and monitoring progress, ensuring accountability and a data-driven approach to meeting the housing need.

Fostering Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Governor Moore emphasized that statewide success requires collaboration between state and local governments, a core principle of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. He issued a call to action for county leaders to participate actively in the housing initiative.

• Incentivizing Collaboration: The governor suggested that jurisdictions demonstrating a “pro-housing” stance would be rewarded, encouraging local governments to align with state objectives.
• Overcoming Institutional Challenges: The proposal follows a 2025 legislative session where a housing bill failed, partly due to opposition from MACo. This history underscores the critical need for building stronger partnerships and more effective institutional cooperation, as envisioned in SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, to achieve shared development goals.

Economic and Social Implications for SDG 8 and SDG 10

The governor explicitly linked the housing initiative to broader economic and social outcomes. By prioritizing affordable housing located near employment and transit, the plan aims to create a more equitable and prosperous state.

Conclusion

Governor Moore’s proposed housing initiative represents a comprehensive strategy to address a critical issue in Maryland. By framing the problem and solutions in terms of affordability, economic growth, and government partnership, the plan strongly aligns with the principles and targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. Its success will be a significant step toward achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) while contributing to progress on SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • The article’s focus on the high cost of housing directly relates to poverty. The statement that “Half of all Maryland renters pay more than 30% of their income toward housing” highlights a significant financial burden that can push individuals and families into poverty or prevent them from escaping it. Governor Moore’s goal to “build new bridges to wealth” by addressing housing costs is a direct effort to combat a key driver of economic hardship.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article explicitly links the housing situation to the broader economy. Governor Moore is quoted saying, “If we want to build new bridges to wealth, bring down costs, and supercharge growth, we need to prioritize housing.” This connects the development of new housing projects not only to providing shelter but also to stimulating economic activity, creating jobs in construction, and making the state more attractive for businesses and workers.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • This is the most central SDG addressed. The entire article revolves around the challenge of providing “affordable housing” within Maryland’s communities. The discussion on streamlining permitting, leveraging public land, and setting statewide housing goals directly pertains to the planning and management of sustainable human settlements. The mention of locating housing “near jobs and transportation” further emphasizes the goal of creating integrated and sustainable communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services… The push for affordable housing is a direct attempt to improve access to a basic service (shelter) and reduce a major economic burden on the poor and vulnerable.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances… The governor’s plan is presented as a strategy to “supercharge growth” in Maryland’s economy by tackling the housing shortage.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services… This is the primary target. The article’s core theme is the need to “go faster on affordable housing” and address the fact that Maryland is “ranked 43rd in housing affordability.”
   • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management… The governor’s proposed actions, such as “streamlining state permitting,” “setting statewide housing goals,” and working with county leaders, are all measures aimed at improving the planning and management of housing development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 11 (Target 11.1)

   • Mentioned Indicator: The article provides a key statistic that functions as a direct measure related to Indicator 11.1.1 (Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing). The statement that “Half of all Maryland renters pay more than 30% of their income toward housing” is a standard measure of housing cost burden, a key component of housing inadequacy. Progress would be a reduction in this percentage.
   • Mentioned Indicator: The state’s ranking of “43rd in housing affordability” serves as a comparative indicator of the scale of the problem. An improvement in this ranking would signify progress.

2. Indicators for SDG 11 (Target 11.3)

   • Mentioned Indicator: The article states that “permitting for new housing units is down almost 40% compared to the period before the 2008 Great Recession.” This serves as a baseline indicator. An increase in the number of permits issued would be a measure of progress toward the goal of spurring new projects.
   • Implied Indicator: The governor’s plan to “set statewide housing goals and track progress toward those goals” explicitly implies the creation of new, specific indicators to measure success. These would likely include the number of new affordable housing units built, the time taken for permit approvals, and the amount of public land utilized for housing projects.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: baltimoresun.com