Priorities 2025

2025 Joint Priorities for
Minority Communities

We are facing significant budget constraints and employment hardships due to Federal and State government shifts in priorities and resource allocations. For our minority populations, this is a period of significant challenges, in a social climate where racial and cultural discrimination is condoned in the name of “saving America.” We look to our leadership to protect our rights to dignity, opportunities, and the ability to contribute our talents, skills and creativity for a healthier and safer community. We are also deeply concerned about the lack of job growth and the lack of State and local infrastructure investment. While our aspirations align with those of most residents, minority communities have distinct needs and priorities that require special attention. Effectively addressing these areas will help reduce socioeconomic barriers and foster economic opportunities for all.

SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY

  • PROVIDE FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS – Provide free legal assistance programs for residents facing fear of deportation, anti-immigrant threats, and victims of direct aggressive actions regardless of legal status. 
  • OPPOSE HATE AND VIOLENCE – Encourage the Montgomery County Committee Against Hate/Violence to implement the recommendations issued by the Montgomery County Anti-Hate Task Force.
  • PROVIDE DIGNIFIED ACCESS TO FOOD – Continue to fund availability of sufficient and nutritious food because minorities are among the 34% of Montgomery County residents that experience food insecurity.
  • PROVIDE COMMUNITY FOCUSED POLICING – Strenghten police training programs that address de-escalation processes to avoid or reduce the risk of violent intervention in minority communities.

HEALTHCARE

  • PROVIDE AFFORDABLE PREVENTIVE AND INTERVENTIONAL HEALTHCARE – Secure resources for programs that provide affordable access to hospitals, community clinics, dental health services, prescription drugs, behavioral health, and skilled nursing facilities.
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO KEY HEALTHCARE DELIVERY CENTERS – Support public transportation options that facilitate access to emergent and urgent healthcare service delivery points throughout the County.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  • STRENGTHEN MINORITY PROCUREMENT PROGRAMS – Provide and expand procurement programs that ensure inclusion of minority business participation in public sector projects across the State of Maryland.
  • INVEST IN SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH – Expand support for small business programs in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland, ensuring fair procurement practices, and funding employer/employee training programs to target high demand skilled jobs.
  • INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND FAIRNESS IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT – Create multi-racial multi-cultural panels to review procurements before they are published, to ensure fair competition for small businesses.
  • IMPROVE ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS – Reduce tax and regulatory burdens, increase infrastructure investments, and prioritize economic growth across the State of Maryland.

EDUCATION

  • EXPAND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS – Expand apprenticeship programs that target new job opportunities focused on career growth and skills development.
  • STRENGTHEN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS – Expand culturally responsive infant and toddler programs that are affordable, accessible, and safe, helping reduce financial burdens for working parents.

HOUSING & RENT STABILITY

  • INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP – Expand the housing supply, strengthen loan guarantee programs, improve access to mortgages, and enhance Montgomery County’s home buyer down payment assistance programs for low- to moderate-income buyers, including teachers, police officers, fire and rescue personnel, and healthcare workers, among others.
  • STRENGTHEN RENTAL AFFORDABILITY – Develop new strategies for rental affordability to attract and retain a younger workforce, make Montgomery County more appealing to large employers and growing families, and help moderate-income seniors age in place.
  • REVIEW RENTAL AFFORDABILITY PROGRAMS – Assess appropriateness of the existing criteria for qualification to affordable housing initiatives, such as the MPDU program, to provide flexibility and consistency with the needs of lower income communities.
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