During the 1990s, Montgomery County added over 31,000 new homes, increasing its total number of homes to nearly 300,000. Approximately 60 percent of the units added in this decade were single-family detached homes; the rest were primarily attached and multifamily. Age-restricted housing, rarely seen in the county or region in previous decades, took off in the 1990s with a significant number of proposed developments. One problematic trend for those who are not homeowners is the price of housing. Housing prices have risen dramatically over the past couple of decades, making it difficult for workers and families to buy a home in the county. In fact, between 1980 and 2003, housing prices in the county increased 238 percent while inflation only increased 126 percent. The Housing Plan focuses on expanding the supply of affordable housing, conserving and protecting existing residential neighborhoods, promoting better design of new residential development, and meeting the demand of those with special housing needs.
