2026 Candidate Questionnaire
County Council At-Large
Muhammad Arif Wali (D)
Website: votearifwali.com
Find all candidate questionnaires here.
Housing Leadership
In your view, why are many Montgomery County residents struggling to afford housing?
In my experience working with many low-income families through my community programs, I see firsthand how difficult it is for residents to afford housing in Montgomery County. High rents and home prices, combined with wages that often don’t keep up, make it a daily struggle for families to secure stable homes. There simply aren’t enough affordable options to meet the demand, leaving too many people at risk of housing insecurity. This is why I am committed to creating opportunities and supporting initiatives that help families find safe, affordable housing so our community can thrive.
What is one housing initiative you would plan to spearhead, if elected?
As an incumbent Councilmember, I passed the O.P.E.N. ZTA to accelerate affordable housing by cutting approval timelines and saving taxpayers millions. Moving forward, I will build on that progress by further streamlining approvals and expanding homeownership opportunities for working families. This includes advancing mixed-income housing near transit, strengthening public-private partnerships, and creating pathways for first-time and underserved homebuyers. My focus is smart growth, equitable development, and a more affordable, inclusive Montgomery County.
Zoning, Supply, and Housing Prices
In your view, how does current zoning policy in Montgomery County affect the supply and price of housing?
In my view, current zoning policies in Montgomery County significantly affect the supply and price of housing. Restrictive rules often limit the construction of multi-family and affordable housing, which keeps supply low and drives up costs. Through my work with families from diverse backgrounds—including immigrants, working-class residents, and long-time county residents—I see how these policies make it harder for many people to find safe, stable, and affordable homes. To address this, we need zoning reforms that allow more varied and inclusive housing options across the county.
What changes would you support to Montgomery County’s zoning policies to support greater housing affordability?
To support greater housing affordability in Montgomery County, I would advocate for zoning reforms that allow a wider variety of housing types, including multi-family units, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units. I believe these changes should be implemented throughout the county, not just in certain neighborhoods, so that residents from all communities—immigrant families, young professionals, and long-time residents—have access to affordable housing near schools, jobs, and public transit.
I would also work to streamline the development approval process for projects that include affordable units, while ensuring community input and sustainable planning. In my work with families from diverse backgrounds, I see how crucial it is for people to have safe and stable housing quickly, so implementing clear timelines and supportive conditions for development can make a real difference. My focus would be on creating inclusive, accessible housing opportunities that meet the needs of all Montgomery County residents.
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
Affordable (subsidized) housing plays a critical role in Montgomery County by ensuring that families from all backgrounds—including working-class households, immigrants, and long-time residents—have access to safe and stable homes. Through my work with diverse families and youth, I see firsthand how access to affordable housing impacts education, health, and overall community well-being. Subsidized housing helps bridge the gap between income and high housing costs, allowing families to stay in the county, build stability, and participate fully in community life. It is essential for creating a housing landscape that is inclusive, equitable, and supportive of all residents.
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing plays an important role in Montgomery County by providing a range of housing options for residents who can afford to pay standard market prices, including professionals, families, and individuals seeking flexibility and choice. Through my work with families from diverse backgrounds, I see how market-rate housing supports neighborhood stability and contributes to a balanced housing ecosystem, helping to prevent displacement and maintain vibrant communities. While it doesn’t directly address affordability, a healthy supply of market-rate housing can relieve pressure on the overall housing market, helping to make more subsidized and moderately priced housing available for those who need it most.
What is one policy change in each area that you would pursue, if elected?
a. Affordable (subsidized) housing
If elected, I would pursue a policy to expand the number of affordable and subsidized housing units across Montgomery County, with a focus on areas near public transit, schools, and job centers. Through my work with families from diverse backgrounds, I see how access to safe and stable housing transforms lives—helping children succeed in school, reducing stress for working parents, and strengthening communities. This policy would include incentives for developers to include affordable units in new projects and clear timelines to ensure these units are delivered efficiently, so all residents have a fair chance at stable, affordable homes.
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
If elected, I would pursue a policy to encourage responsible development of market-rate housing throughout Montgomery County to increase overall supply and reduce pressure on housing costs. This would include streamlining approvals for projects that meet design, safety, and sustainability standards, while ensuring community input. From my experience working with families from diverse backgrounds, I see how a healthy supply of market-rate housing helps stabilize neighborhoods and make room for more affordable options, giving residents from all income levels better opportunities to live and thrive in our county.
Transportation & Smart Growth
What would you do to prioritize transit frequency and access if elected?
If elected, I would prioritize increasing transit frequency and improving access across Montgomery County, especially in neighborhoods where residents rely on public transportation to get to work, school, and community programs. From my experience working with families and youth from diverse backgrounds, I see how limited transit options can create barriers to education, jobs, and opportunities. I would advocate for expanded bus and rail schedules, better connectivity between neighborhoods, and investments in safe, accessible transit stops so that all residents—regardless of income or location—can move around the county efficiently and safely. Reliable transit is not just transportation; it is a pathway to opportunity and equity for our communities.
What would you do to ensure safe walking and biking access to transit, stores, schools and services for residents of existing and new housing?
If elected, I would prioritize safe walking and biking access for residents across Montgomery County, both in existing neighborhoods and in new housing developments. Through my work with youth and families from diverse backgrounds, I see how unsafe streets limit children’s independence, make commuting difficult, and reduce access to essential services like schools, stores, and community programs. I would advocate for protected bike lanes, well-maintained sidewalks, safer crosswalks, and traffic calming measures to ensure everyone can travel safely. Creating streets that are safe for walking and biking is not just about transportation it’s about building healthy, connected, and inclusive communities for all residents.
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?
To understand the nuts and bolts of housing policy and craft effective solutions for Montgomery County, I would turn to a variety of organizations, stakeholders, and data sources. This would include county planning and housing departments, affordable housing developers, tenant advocacy groups, and nonprofit organizations that work directly with residents from diverse backgrounds. I would also consult research and datasets from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau, Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission, and local universities to understand trends in housing supply, affordability, and demographics.
In addition, I would engage directly with residents, particularly families, immigrants, seniors, and other communities who face housing challenges, to ensure policies reflect real-world needs. My experience working with youth and families through community programs has shown me that combining data-driven analysis with community input is the best way to create housing policies that are practical, equitable, and impactful.