The St. Mary’s County Community Workforce Housing Task Force has disbanded after the county commissioners refused to address the issue of workforce housing.

In a letter dated March 20, signed by all five commissioners and addressed to the task force co-chairs, Christopher Longmore and John K. Parlett, Jr., the commissioners wrote: “Although we appreciate the Task Force’s recommendations, we do not plan on taking any action at this time. The decision was not made lightly and is in no way a reflection on the efforts put forth by the Task Force.”

The St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce provided administrative support and coordination for the task force. In a strongly worded letter dated April 20 signed Chamber Board Chairman Joseph Densford, the business organization was highly critical of the commissioners for sidestepping the issue.

An initial report in 2007 found a critical shortage of workforce housing, the letter said. “Many individuals in occupations vital to our community’s success and stability, such as teachers, law enforcement professionals, health care workers and young professionals associated with defense contractors, were having problems with housing availability, housing costs and mortgage loans. They worked full time and made good wages, but they could not afford to live here. More importantly they began to view this community as only an interim stop on their professional journey,” Densford wrote.

The task force reconvened last year. The result according to the letter: “They found the problem has gotten worse.” It added, “While we are statistically one of the wealthiest counties in the country, the ability of those defined by the Task Force to enjoy home ownership has become more difficult. While the statistical wealth of the community has risen based on census data, a larger portion of that wealth is represented by a smaller percentage of the population. Additionally, our community has experienced a 30 percent increase in the cost of living, with the major contributing factor being the cost of housing.”

The letter goes on to say, “The recent communication from the County Commissioners regarding the decision not to take action on the issue of workforce housing is disappointing.” The letter said the task force disbanded after hearing the decision. The letter from the commissioners to the Chamber was not discussed in open session and was released after a request from the Bay Net.

Densford and Chamber Executive Director Bill Scarafia appeared before the commissioners on Tuesday to receive a proclamation for Small Business Month. Densford did thank the commissioners for tentatively putting an accelerated schedule for FDR Boulevard in the capital budget. That has been another Chamber priority.

During the same meeting the commissioners delayed moving f