REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS RESEARCH, POLICY, PLANNING, AND ZONING CONSULTANT SERVICES

The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (“HOC” or the “Commission”) seeks the services of an independent consultant or group of consultants (“Consultant(s)”) with direct experience in data compilation, analysis, and publication; policy production and analysis; and knowledge of Montgomery County, MD (the “County”) planning and zoning laws and process, to provide services in this area to the Commission as more fully outlined below. The Commission has determined that, if it is to continue to be effective in carrying out its mission of expanding the supply of affordable housing in Montgomery County, it must remain actively involved in the County’s planning and zoning process. To achieve this objective, the Commission must: Monitor the County’s ongoing updating of Area Master Plans and Sector Plans so that it can be alert to locations where affordable housing units are planned, and press for the inclusion of sites that might be appropriate for the development of affordable housing. Evaluate the Commission’s real estate holdings and plan for redevelopment via the zoning and planning process to increase unit yield through aggregation with adjacent landowners or similar opportunities. Monitor submissions to the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission for preliminary plan, site plan and special exception approvals and identify developments where the yield of housing is significantly below the limits specified under existing zoning. Become more heavily involved in the drafting of formal housing policies and zoning text amendments affecting affordable housing, such as the Annual Growth Policy (AGP), Moderately-Priced Dwelling Units (MPDU) law, Workforce Housing impact tax and other incentives and disincentives to the production of affordable housing. Produce research, analysis, informational products, proposed legislation, and policy statements. The Commission has further determined that the heightened level of involvement in the County’s planning and zoning process contemplated by the foregoing requires the assistance of a consultant knowledgeable in these areas.