2026 Candidate Questionnaire
County Council District 7
Van Free (D)
Website: vanfreefordistrict7.com
Find all candidate questionnaires here.
Housing Leadership
In your view, why are many Montgomery County residents struggling to afford housing?
Montgomery County is facing a housing affordability crisis driven by a mismatch between supply and demand. For years, we have not built enough housing—especially near jobs, transit, and economic centers—while our population and workforce have continued to grow. Restrictive zoning, lengthy approval processes, and rising construction costs have all contributed to limited supply and higher prices.
At the same time, wages have not kept pace with housing costs, particularly for working families, first responders, service workers, and young people trying to stay in the county. As a firefighter/EMT and small business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how essential workers are increasingly priced out of the communities they serve.
What is one housing initiative you would plan to spearhead, if elected?
I would spearhead a Transit-Oriented Housing Acceleration Initiative focused on increasing housing production—both affordable and market-rate—within walking distance of major transit corridors.
This initiative would:
• Streamline approvals for projects near transit
• Allow more diverse housing types (duplexes, triplexes, small apartments)
• Pair increased density with strong affordability requirements
• Prioritize mixed-income communities
This approach addresses affordability by increasing supply while ensuring equitable access to high-opportunity areas.
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 significantly constrain housing supply by limiting where and what types of housing can be built. Large portions of the county are restricted to single-family homes, which reduces the ability to add more attainable housing options.
These constraints:
• Limit overall housing production
• Drive up land costs
• Push development into fewer areas, increasing competition and prices
The result is a housing market that is inaccessible to many residents and workers.
What changes would you support to Montgomery County’s zoning policies to support greater housing affordability?
I support modernizing zoning to allow for more housing diversity and increased supply, especially in high-opportunity and transit-rich areas.
Key changes include:
• Allowing “missing middle” housing (duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes) in more neighborhoods
• Increasing density near Metro stations, BRT corridors, and major job centers
• Streamlining the development review process to reduce delays and costs
• Creating clear, predictable rules that encourage responsible development
We must also ensure that zoning reforms are paired with affordability requirements and anti-displacement strategies so that growth benefits everyone.
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 housing is essential for our lowest-income residents, including seniors, people with disabilities, and working families. It ensures that everyone—regardless of income—can live with dignity and stability in Montgomery County.
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
Market-rate housing plays a critical role in meeting overall demand. When we fail to build enough market-rate housing, higher-income households compete for limited units, driving up prices across the board and putting pressure on more affordable units.
We need both—deeply affordable housing and sufficient market-rate housing—to create a balanced and functional housing ecosystem.
What is one policy change in each area that you would pursue, if elected?
a. Affordable (subsidized) housing
I would expand and strengthen the county’s inclusionary housing policies (MPDU program) by:
• Increasing affordability requirements in high-demand areas
• Ensuring long-term affordability
• Leveraging public land for deeply affordable housing development
b. Market-rate (unsubsidized) housing
I would implement a fast-track approval process for projects that:
• Are located near transit
• Include mixed-income housing
• Meet sustainability and smart growth criteria
Reducing delays lowers costs, which ultimately helps moderate housing prices.
Transportation & Smart Growth
What would you do to prioritize transit frequency and access if elected?
I would prioritize increased investment in reliable, frequent public transit, including bus rapid transit (BRT) and improved local bus service.
This includes:
• Advocating for dedicated bus lanes
• Increasing service frequency, especially in underserved areas
• Coordinating land use decisions with transit investments
Transit must be a viable, convenient option for working families—not an afterthought.
What would you do to ensure safe walking and biking access to transit, stores, schools and services for residents of existing and new housing?
Safety must be a top priority. As a first responder, I’ve seen the consequences of unsafe streets.
I would:
• Expand protected bike lanes and safe pedestrian infrastructure
• Implement traffic calming measures in residential areas
• Invest in safe routes to school programs
• Ensure all new developments include safe multimodal access
We need to design communities where people can safely walk, bike, and access daily needs without relying solely on cars.
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 take a data-driven and community-informed approach by engaging:
• Local residents, including renters and homeowners
• Civic associations and community groups
• Housing advocates and nonprofit developers
• Labor organizations and small business owners
• Planning experts and county agencies
I would also rely on:
• County housing and demographic data
• Regional planning data
• Best practices from peer jurisdictions
As a firefighter/EMT, I understand the importance of listening to people on the ground. Effective policy comes from combining real-world experience with strong data and inclusive engagement.