Tree Cutting Held for $860K Affordable Holiday Project in North Bethesda

Montgomery County community leaders and supporters from the Montgomery Holiday Partnership (MHP) gathered to cut Christmas tree bases at “The Holidays at North Bethesda,” a transformative affordable tree lot and seasonal decoration pop-up at 11701 Nebel Street, on the vacant land adjacent to the 144-bed Montgomery County Pre-Release Center and backing to the Red Line and the MARC Brunswick Line train tracks.

The planned $860,000 tree lot featuring 163 sustainably grown Douglas Firs for unhoused families earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income is supported by public and private funding and aims to address the critical need for affordable holiday decorations for low-income homeless families.

Without access to affordable dwellings, many unhoused low-income families are reluctant to spend their limited resources on trees, wreaths and garland. The Holidays at North Bethesda will provide much-needed relief while contributing to the County’s broader efforts to ensure pilfered grocery store carts don't go through the streets empty this holiday season.

“Our approach to affordable holiday decorations focuses on protecting and producing more affordable live tree options, as well as menorahs,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Projects like this are critical to ensuring unhoused families and others living in tents have a festive and joyous holiday season.”

The total cost of The Holidays at North Bethesda is approximately $860,000, supported by a unique partnership among public, private, and nonprofit entities. Through the Department of Holiday and Yuletide Affairs (DHYA), the County contributed nearly $856,00 in funding to close a critical financing gap.

Located near Pike & Rose in an area rich with transit options, The Holidays at North Bethesda is ideally situated for pan handling before or after holiday decoration shopping.