Montgomery County is preparing for an estimated 100,000 new residents over the next 25 years, making housing and homelessness central issues in its Montco 2050 comprehensive plan. The plan, expected to be adopted in early 2026, aims to balance affordability, growth, sustainability and livability. At a Sept. 30 forum in Ambler, planners outlined draft goals and visions, emphasizing the rising cost of housing, lack of affordable options and a growing homelessness crisis. HealthSpark Foundation president and CEO Emma Hertz said that many people of modest incomes acknowledged through public input that affordable homeownership was a huge issue. “Recognizing that the market is not creating those corrections for us, but really we need to be investing in more attainable housing for people who are of middle income, who are service workers, or police officers, or teachers, child care workers,” Hertz said, noting that the county is setting a “broad vision” but that the actual work will take place in municipalities, with residents and stakeholders working together to achieve the goals. Public input can be shared on the Engage Montgomery County website.
Source: The Reporter; 10/7/2025