2026 Candidate Questionnaire
County Council At-Large
Karla Silvestre (D)
Website: karlasilvestre.com
Find all candidate questionnaires here.
Housing Leadership
In your view, why are many Montgomery County residents struggling to afford housing?
Housing costs have outpaced incomes because we have not produced enough homes to meet demand—especially the range of housing types people need at different stages of life. At the same time, wages are stagnant and rising costs are putting pressure on working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and young people trying to stay in the County. If we do not act, we risk becoming a place where fewer families can afford to stay and fewer young people can afford to put down roots. This is not just a housing issue—it affects our economy, our schools, and the long-term strength of our communities.
What is one housing initiative you would plan to spearhead, if elected?
To increase housing supply by streamlining permitting and allowing more homes to be built—especially near transit—so we can lower costs and meet the needs of our growing community.
Zoning, Supply, and Housing Prices
In your view, how does current zoning policy in Montgomery County affect the supply and price of housing?
Current zoning policies limit where and what types of housing can be built, which constrains supply and contributes to rising prices. In many areas, the lack of diverse housing options—such as duplexes, townhomes, and small apartment buildings—makes it harder for first-time buyers, downsizing seniors, and working families to find homes that meet their needs.
What changes would you support to Montgomery County’s zoning policies to support greater housing affordability?
I support expanding housing options—including duplexes, triplexes, townhomes and small apartment buildings—particularly near transit, along major corridors, and in activity centers where infrastructure can support growth. We should continue building out these “missing middle” options so more residents have attainable pathways into homeownership and stable housing.
I also support clearer development standards and more predictable timelines, including expanding opportunities for by-right approvals in areas where the County has already planned for growth. This helps reduce delays and costs while ensuring projects meet community expectations.
We have taken important first steps, and we should continue expanding housing opportunities in more parts of the County over time—especially where we have access to transit, jobs, and services—to meet long-term demand.
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
Subsidized affordable housing is essential for residents who would otherwise be priced out of the County, including seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families. It helps ensure stability and access to opportunity.
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
Market-rate housing plays a critical role in meeting overall demand. Increasing supply across a range of price points helps reduce pressure on the housing market and creates more pathways for homeownership.
What is one policy change in each area that you would pursue, if elected?
a. Affordable (subsidized) housing
I would expand accessory dwelling units—like basement apartments and in-law suites—because they create more affordable housing, help seniors house caregivers or house a teacher/first responder just starting out. They add gentle density in a way that fits into our existing neighborhoods.
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
I would work to modernize and streamline Montgomery County’s permitting process—setting clear timelines and improving coordination—so we can build housing faster, lower costs, and better meet our community’s needs.
Transportation & Smart Growth
What would you do to prioritize transit frequency and access if elected?
I would prioritize investments that improve reliability and frequency, especially through bus-focused improvements like dedicated lanes, transit signal priority, and more frequent service on major corridors. Making transit more reliable and easier to use will encourage more people to use it. We also need to better align housing growth with transit investments to support a more connected and efficient County.
What would you do to ensure safe walking and biking access to transit, stores, schools and services for residents of existing and new housing?
Pedestrians in Montgomery County are most at risk on busy roads and unsafe crossings, so I would invest in safer intersections, better lighting, and traffic calming to make walking and biking safe for everyone.
I would support expanding safe walking and biking infrastructure, closing sidewalk gaps, improving crossings, and continuing implementation of Vision Zero which aims to end traffic deaths by making streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Safe access should be a core part of how we plan both new and existing communities.
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?
I would rely on the experienced staff from County agencies like Montgomery Planning, DHCA, HOC, and MCDOT, along with key data sources such as the Housing Needs Assessment and Thrive Montgomery 2050.
I appreciate the pro-housing advocacy of organizations such as Action in Montgomery, Greater Greater Washington, the Coalition for Smarter Growth, the Urban Institute, AARP, and others.
Equally important is engaging a broad range of stakeholders—residents, community organizations, housing providers, labor, environmental and transit advocates—to ensure policies are informed, balanced, and responsive to community needs.
My approach is grounded in my experience in public service: listen carefully, use data to guide decisions, and take thoughtful action to ensure Montgomery County remains a place where people can live, work, and thrive.