2026 Candidate Questionnaire
County Council At-Large
Dana E. Gassaway (D)
Website: gassawayforcouncil.com
Find all candidate questionnaires here.
Housing Leadership
In your view, why are many Montgomery County residents struggling to afford housing?
I believe those who have been in executive and legislative positions over the last 20 years had a laissez-faire attitude with respect to development within the county, and this coupled with an average increase in inward migration of about 47,000 people, since 2006, per, year has caused a housing crunch.
What is one housing initiative you would plan to spearhead, if elected?
I would like to see use of areas like Lake Forest Mall, and other declining strip-malls or industrial parks, taken over by the government and build good family focused homes on these sites. In my last campaign for council, I pushed for the county to purchase Lake Forest and build 1200 or 1300 single family homes in that area.
Zoning, Supply, and Housing Prices
In your view, how does current zoning policy in Montgomery County affect the supply and price of housing?
It is a small step in the right direction, but, I feel, it falls short of the direct intervention needed by the council to promote the development of new communities. I believe the county allowed this to happen by not regulating growth with actions opposed to using catch phrases like "Smart Growth." The real issue is that our county population is on average 3.6 times more populated than any other county, and we must ask what we desire for future generations; do we want a quasi bedroom community or do we want a mega metropolis. We must come to the realization that our county is approaching the point where it will be a high density area, and we must stop and ask what does that truly mean, in terms of the overall health, and viability, for us ecologically and as a community.
What changes would you support to Montgomery County’s zoning policies to support greater housing affordability?
I would support the reclassification of certain low use industrial areas to be used for potentially new housing areas. I would also support allowing certain homes, based on the amount of land to build additional living spaces.
Affordable & Market-Rate Housing
Please explain what you see as the role that each of these types of housing play in the housing landscape in Montgomery County, and the needs they fill for Montgomery County residents:
a. Affordable (subsidized) housing
Based on housing cost and housing demands, subsidized housing has to be the helping hand that transitions our most underserved residents in obtaining a path to home ownership.
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
A competitive housing market is key to economic viability, and it shows that our area has the ability to attract people and that it is a place people desire. Additionally, property taxes are major contributor to our economy. However, issues like algorithmic price fixing and low housing stock are some factors that keep housing costs high. Also, with the vast majority of the land in the county developed, we do not have the space to meet demand.
What is one policy change in each area that you would pursue, if elected?
a. Affordable (subsidized) housing
I would want the county to take a hands on approach to developing new communities by planning and building those communities. I feel we have given to much control to developers. I believe we must learn to achieve from within our community, and that includes learning how to successfully develop and create new communities.
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
I would prevent groups from buying anymore than 10 units in a site that has one hundred or more units; additionally, I would limit the number of possible community development projects. Finally, I would find ways, through actual discussions, to get our community members involved in the process of creating new living space.
Transportation & Smart Growth
What would you do to prioritize transit frequency and access if elected?
My first mission is to get a transportation system that is reliable; our transit system is unreliable, and needs to be fixed . I would concentrate on making sure that the time a bus or train is scheduled to be at a location it is there. I believe that when transit means of movement are impaired, because of late arrivals or other issues involving buses or trains, this creates a lack of trust within those who depend on service to move from location to location. Thus, I think frequency means nothing if you cannot depend on the public mode of transportation to get you in a timely manner.
What would you do to ensure safe walking and biking access to transit, stores, schools and services for residents of existing and new housing?
I would consider having the speed limits reduced to 25 miles/hr for highly used areas with a large number of at risk residents. Additionally, I see nothing wrong with creating, when feasible, bike lanes, and sidewalks.
Community Input & Stakeholder Engagement
What organizations, stakeholders, datasets, or other sources of information would you turn to to understand the nuts and bolts of housing policy implementation, and how to craft effective policies that meet Montgomery County’s housing needs?
As a multi-generational resident of the county, I am very aware of what is going on with the lack of housing and the serge of migration into the county. I think it is always best to go directly to the people who are experiencing these difficulties. Thus, I will be at DHCA regularly, I will be at county auctions, and I will have regular town halls discuss what I am doing, or what I should be doing.