Immigrant Focus Groups

Given the growing immigrant population in the County, it was particularly important to solicit input from Asian-Pacific Islander, Caribbean, Latino, and West African immigrant communities. Collectively, these four immigrant groups account for nearly 27 percent of the County’s population.

Focus Groups

Plan 2035 solicited input through a series of focus groups held in Hyattsville, Fort Washington, and Suitland and conducted individual interviews to gain a better understanding of the communities’ concerns related to:

• Employment
• Housing
• Job Training
• Land Use
• Quality of Life
• Transportation

Meeting Results 

The focus groups highlighted several shared concerns with regard to housing and employment.

Housing

The consensus among participants - the majority of whom lived in rental apartments - was that the County has a shortage of quality affordable housing and employment opportunities. Participants identified high rental rates and poor housing conditions as a major problem and felt that the County lacks a variety of housing options to meet their needs.

Employment

Participants also experienced difficulties finding work in the County and often were forced to accept jobs in neighboring counties. Some noted that the costs of childcare and transportation were a barrier to employment as the costs could exceed participants’ earning potential.