All Aboard for the Affordable Housing Bus Tour of Elkridge, Expert Guide Included

Howard County literally steered people toward its affordable housing options during a bus tour of Elkridge, sponsored by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Belmont Station and Elkridge Crossing were two of four properties on the tour—part of the county’s sixth annual housing fair—with Elkridge native Brian Perry at the front of the bus narrating along the way.

Perry, who works in the grants division of the housing department, explained that the county’s moderate income housing program—available to those in certain brackets below $100,000—fits in with the federal government’s push to make affordable housing a priority.

It was strategic that Elkridge and Jessup were the two destinations for bus tours during the housing fair, according to Stacy Spann, director of housing for Howard County.

“Much of the new development is taking place in Elkridge and on the Route 1 corridor, so the bus tours are going to go where the newer projects are and where people have interest,” said Spann.

One couple on the tour this week was ready to take the leap into homeownership but couldn’t afford to buy in Columbia, where they currently live. “We wanted to see what was here,” said Pamela G., referring to the eastern part of the county.

Others weren’t sure about Howard County. “I don’t know that I’m interested—Howard County is confusing to me,” said Ann, who lives in Baltimore County. Although her goal is to move out of state where the cost of living is lower, she said she took the bus tour “to learn things I can apply there.”

Of the 700-plus people who attended the county’s housing fair, Spann said most lived locally. “One woman drove over an hour to get here,” he said, “but the vast number of folks are from Howard County.”

In addition to bus tours, the housing fair at  included realtors, bankers, developers, home inspectors and other resources. “We’ve got the support to make your dreams a reality,” said Spann, “whether that’s a rental or homeownership.”

Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Stacy Spann's name and to indicate that more than 700 people attended the housing fair, not "nearly 600," as stated in a previous version.