"I will use every tool that is available to create affordable housing in Frederick County."
- Sam Newhouse
I Understand This Issue Personally
I do not own a home. I cannot afford the current cost of housing in Frederick County. This is not an abstract policy question for me -- it is my daily reality, and it is the reality facing thousands of working people across our county.
When teachers, laborers, caregivers, and the people who keep our community running cannot afford to live here, we have a fundamental problem that demands bold action.
Professional Experience in Affordable Housing
I have worked with Morris Habitat for Humanity in New Jersey, where I saw firsthand what successful affordable housing models look like. Habitat's approach works because it partners with communities, empowers families, and builds homes that are designed to last -- not to maximize profit for out-of-state developers.
That experience gave me a deep understanding of the strategies, partnerships, and institutional knowledge required to make affordable housing a reality. I intend to bring that expertise to Frederick County.
Strategy: Community Partnerships, Not Developer Handouts
My approach to affordable housing centers on partnering with local nonprofits and leveraging their expertise and institutional knowledge. These organizations understand our community. They know the land, the people, and the challenges. They are accountable to Frederick County residents -- not to shareholders in another state.
Who This Is For
Affordable housing is not a niche issue. It affects a wide range of people across Frederick County:
- Workers and essential employees who keep our economy running
- Teachers who educate our children but cannot afford to live near their schools
- Laborers and tradespeople who build our community
- Aging populations on fixed incomes who deserve to stay in the county they helped build
- Disabled individuals who need accessible, affordable housing options
Community-Built vs. Developer-Driven
There is a critical difference between affordable housing that is built by and for our community and housing projects driven by out-of-state developers. Developer-driven projects are profit-motivated. They lobby politicians, extract public subsidies, and build what maximizes their return -- not what our community actually needs.
Community-built affordable housing puts residents first. It is designed with input from the people who will live in these homes and the neighbors who surround them. It creates lasting value rather than short-term profit.
Core Commitment
My core commitment is straightforward: increase the overall affordability of living in Frederick County. Housing is the foundation. When people can afford a stable home, everything else -- health, education, employment, community participation -- becomes possible.