2026 Candidate Questionnaire
County Council District 6
Natali Fani-González (D)
Website: NataliForCouncil.com
Find all candidate questionnaires here.
Housing Leadership
In your view, why are many Montgomery County residents struggling to afford housing?
There is a shortage of units failing to keep pace with population growth. Furthermore, rent and home prices are outpacing income growth, creating high cost-burdened households.
What is one housing initiative you would plan to spearhead, if elected?
I will continue to work on opportunities to increase housing supply for people of all income levels as well as opportunities to bring more good-paying jobs to the county.
Zoning, Supply, and Housing Prices
In your view, how does current zoning policy in Montgomery County affect the supply and price of housing?
Zoning has a direct impact on supply and price of housing. That's why I have championed this area since getting elected in 2022.
What changes would you support to Montgomery County’s zoning policies to support greater housing affordability?
I will continue to find opportunities to create more housing. For example, I spearheaded the Office to Housing Conversation discussions as Chair of the Economic Development committee. That led to the passage of the ZTA and bill on the office to housing conversation.
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
The government must continue to invest in subsidized housing so we can reach deeply affordable housing goals.
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
We need to continue allowing and incentivizing the creation of market-rate housing, which ultimately impacts housing affordability.
What is one policy change in each area that you would pursue, if elected?
a. Affordable (subsidized) housing
We need to expand the Housing Trust Fund.
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
In my second term, I will look into more predictable approval processes.
Transportation & Smart Growth
What would you do to prioritize transit frequency and access if elected?
I will continue to work closely with MCDOT on bus routes, transit frequency and sidewalks/bus shelters, to name a few items.
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 will continue my push for more sidewalks and protected bike lanes in neighborhoods, connecting to schools, transit, parks and other essential locations.
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 will continue to work with the Park and Planning Commission, Habitat for Humanity, CASA, MHP, and the many other organizations that make our county great.