BALTIMORE’S HOUSING FUTURE TAKES CENTER STAGE IN “KEYS TO CHANGE” INTERVIEW WITH COUNCILWOMAN PHYLICIA PORTER

Baltimore, MD – Baltimore sits at the center of Maryland’s housing conversation.

The city currently faces an estimated 13,000–15,000 vacant properties citywide, with concentrated vacancy impacting entire blocks — affecting safety, property values, neighborhood stability, and the city’s tax base. At the same time, Maryland as a whole faces a housing shortage estimated in the tens of thousands of units, as demand continues to outpace new construction. Zoning constraints, labor shortages, and rising development costs have slowed supply, contributing to rising rents, higher home prices, and pressure on existing housing stock.

Baltimore is uniquely positioned to be part of the solution. The city offers existing housing stock, strong transit and job access, lower acquisition costs than Washington, D.C. and surrounding counties, and vacant homes that can function as built-in supply if revitalized strategically.

To elevate this conversation, Maryland Realtor and community advocate Coby Smith has launched Keys to Change, a virtual interview series bringing together Maryland legislators, policymakers, housing advocates, developers, and residents for thoughtful discussions about how communities can grow in ways that are inclusive, affordable, and sustainable.

On February 23rd at 8:00 PM, Phylicia Porter, Baltimore City Councilmember for District 10, will join the series for a live virtual discussion.

Councilwoman Porter, who brings a background in public health, community organizing, and neighborhood advocacy, will discuss how Baltimore can revitalize neighborhoods without displacement, how housing and public health intersect, and what community-driven development looks like in practice. The conversation will also explore how Baltimore’s housing strategy connects to Maryland’s broader housing shortage.

“Housing impacts opportunity, stability, and long-term economic mobility,” said Smith. “This series is about creating space for real dialogue — conversations that help residents better understand how local leadership and policy shape the places we live.”

Maryland and Baltimore City are currently advancing numerous initiatives aimed at addressing vacancy, expanding homeownership access, supporting investors and homeowners, and increasing overall housing supply. Keys to Change aims to connect those policy efforts with community voices and practical solutions.

The discussion will include live audience participation, with select questions from attendees addressed during the event.

Event Details:

🗓 February 23rd

8:00 PM

Virtual (Zoom)

🎟 Free Admission (Registration Required) Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keys-to-change-tickets-1982982661521?aff=Release

About Keys to Change

Keys to Change is a virtual interview series hosted by Coby Smith of Chateau Seekers at Keller Williams Capital Properties. The series is designed to foster constructive dialogue around housing, development, and community leadership across Maryland and Washington, D.C.