2026 Candidate Questionnaire
County Council At-Large
Radwan Chowdhury (D)
Website: radwancampaign.com
Find all candidate questionnaires here.
Housing Leadership
In your view, why are many Montgomery County residents struggling to afford housing?
Housing unaffordability in Montgomery County is driven by a mismatch between supply and demand, restrictive zoning, rising construction costs, and stagnant wage growth relative to living expenses. Limited housing diversity—particularly missing middle and workforce housing—has constrained options for working families. At the same time, delays in permitting and insufficient infrastructure coordination increase costs that are passed on to residents. The result is displacement, longer commutes, and growing inequity. Addressing affordability requires a comprehensive strategy that increases supply, preserves existing affordability, and aligns housing policy with economic opportunity and transit access.
What is one housing initiative you would plan to spearhead, if elected?
I will spearhead a “Smart Growth Housing Acceleration Initiative” to expand housing supply near transit corridors and job centers. This initiative will streamline permitting, incentivize mixed-income development, and unlock underutilized public land for housing. It will prioritize workforce and missing middle housing while ensuring deeply affordable units are included through strengthened inclusionary zoning. By aligning land use, infrastructure, and economic development, this initiative will reduce costs, increase supply, and create sustainable, transit-oriented communities that meet the needs of current and future residents.
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 housing supply by restricting density, separating land uses, and limiting diverse housing types. Large portions of the county are zoned for single-family housing, which constrains the development of duplexes, townhomes, and small multifamily units. These restrictions drive up land costs and reduce affordability. Additionally, lengthy and unpredictable approval processes increase development costs and delay delivery. Without reform, these policies will continue to exacerbate housing shortages and price pressures, making it harder for families, workers, and young residents to remain in the county.
What changes would you support to Montgomery County’s zoning policies to support greater housing affordability?
I support targeted zoning reforms to allow a broader range of housing types—including duplexes, triplexes, and small apartment buildings—particularly near transit corridors and commercial centers. I will advocate for transit-oriented development, reduced parking minimums, and faster approval timelines for projects that include affordable units. Upzoning should be paired with infrastructure investments and community engagement to ensure sustainable growth. These changes will increase supply, reduce costs, and create more inclusive neighborhoods while maintaining community character through thoughtful planning and design standards.
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 is essential to ensuring that low-income families, seniors, and vulnerable populations can live with dignity and stability. It addresses deep affordability gaps that the market alone cannot meet and prevents homelessness and displacement. It is a critical component of an equitable housing strategy.
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
Market-rate housing plays a vital role in meeting overall demand and reducing price pressure across the housing market. Increasing supply at all income levels helps stabilize costs and creates mobility within the housing system. A healthy housing market requires both subsidized and market-rate development working together.
What is one policy change in each area that you would pursue, if elected?
a. Affordable (subsidized) housing
I will increase funding for the Housing Initiative Fund and strengthen inclusionary zoning requirements to ensure more deeply affordable units are built. I will also prioritize public land for affordable housing development and expand partnerships with mission-driven developers. These actions will directly increase access for those most in need.
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
I will streamline the development approval process and reduce regulatory barriers to accelerate market-rate housing production, particularly in transit-accessible areas. Predictable timelines and reduced delays will lower costs and encourage responsible development that meets demand.
Transportation & Smart Growth
What would you do to prioritize transit frequency and access if elected?
I will prioritize investments in high-frequency, reliable transit by supporting Bus Rapid Transit expansion, improving connectivity, and aligning land use with transit infrastructure. Transit-oriented development will ensure residents can live near jobs and services, reducing congestion and environmental impact. Reliable transit is essential for economic mobility and equitable access.
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 invest in complete streets infrastructure that prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist safety, including sidewalks, protected bike lanes, safe crossings, and traffic calming measures. I will ensure that new developments integrate safe, accessible connections to transit, schools, and essential services. Safe mobility options are critical to building healthy, sustainable, and inclusive 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 will rely on a combination of community engagement, data analysis, and expert input to inform housing policy. This includes working with local residents, civic associations, housing advocates, faith-based organizations, and nonprofit partners. I will also use county data, economic and housing studies, and best practices from comparable jurisdictions. Engaging diverse stakeholders—especially underrepresented communities—is essential to crafting policies that are both effective and equitable. Transparent, inclusive decision-making builds trust and ensures policies reflect the real needs of Montgomery County residents.