Housing & rent

Where this actually gets decided

Six bodies touch housing in this county. They don't have equal power, and most people call the wrong one.

Confirmed in the Council's own rules
  1. Proposes
    County Executive

    Writes the budget that funds every housing program. Sets the number before anyone debates it. Under the Charter, the Executive must send the Council a proposed budget by March 15. For FY2027 that proposal was $5,920,763,000.

    Drafted from the county's published description, not verified
    CB-058-2026, FY2027 Appropriations
    WHAT THE COUNCIL DID TO THAT NUMBER
    FY2027County Executive proposedCouncil approved
    Total, all funds$5,920,763,000$5,996,868,700
    General Fund$4,970,283,400$5,005,350,700
    Board of Education aid$2,002,742,000$2,001,487,500

    The Council added about $76 million overall and cut school aid by about $1.25 million. Same budget, different numbers. This is what 'the only body that can change the number' looks like in practice.

    From CB-058-2026, the FY2027 Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance - verified Oct 12, 2026

  2. Decides - you enter here
    County Council

    11 members, nine by district and two at-large. Votes the money and the law. Your seat is District 5 - Shayla Adams-Stafford. The only body that can change the number. On zoning, these same eleven sit as the District Council. Six of eleven enacts a bill. Eight of eleven overrides a veto.

    Chair: Krystal Oriadha (D7). Vice Chair: Eric C. Olson (D3).

    Your comment counts here
    Confirmed in two county sources
    RESOLVED - ONE OFFICIAL PAGE IS OUT OF DATE

    District 4 is represented by Timothy J. Adams

    The Council appointed him on January 23, 2026, to fill the vacancy created by Ingrid S. Watson's resignation. The county's legislative system had this right. The Council's own roster page still lists the seat as vacant - that page is out of date, and it was still wrong when we checked today.

    Yesterday this card said two official sources disagreed and we did not know which was right. This is what it looks like when a primary document settles it.

    • Prince George's County Council announcement, appointment of Timothy J. Adams to District 4, January 23, 2026 - read Oct 13, 2026
    • County legislative system (Legistar) - Timothy J. Adams - confirmed Oct 13, 2026
    • County resolution CR-109-2026, proposed by Council Members Adams and Ivey - read Oct 12, 2026
    • County Council roster page - still lists VACANT - checked Oct 13, 2026
  3. Hears zoning cases
    Zoning Hearing Examiner

    Takes testimony on individual zoning applications and writes findings. Hearings are public and appear on the county calendar.

    From the county's posted record
  4. Recommends
    Planning Board (M-NCPPC)

    A separate bi-county agency, not part of county government. Reviews what gets built and sends a recommendation up. Its meetings are on its own calendar at pgplanningboard.org, not the county's. Public affairs: 301-454-1740.

    From the county's posted record
    • Meets Thursdays at 10:00 AM. Open to the public.
    • In person at 6600 Kenilworth Avenue, Riverdale, or virtually by Microsoft Teams or phone.
    • To speak you must register by 12:00 PM NOON on the Tuesday two days before the meeting. Miss it and you cannot address the Board at all.
    • Written testimony also by 12:00 PM NOON Tuesday, to pgcpb@mncppc.org. Late material is not considered, but it does become part of the record.
    • Agendas are posted on Granicus, not on the county calendar.

    From the Planning Board's own participation page - checked Oct 12, 2026

  5. Implements
    Dept. of Housing & Community Development

    Runs the programs and answers the phone. Can only spend what the Council already approved.

    Sample data
  6. Operates independently
    Housing Authority of Prince George's County

    Runs the Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs with federal HUD money. Separate Board of Commissioners, separate meetings, own comment period. 301-883-5501.

    From the county's posted record
The thing nobody tells you

Most people call the Department, because it's the number on the website. The Department can only spend what the Council approved. That's why those calls go nowhere, and why two minutes aimed at the Council moves more than two hours aimed anywhere else.