Washington County Latest Stop in DHCD Secretary Jake Day’s ‘Day Trips’ Tour
Department visit highlighted projects and businesses in Hagerstown, Cascade
HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day visited Hagerstown and Washington County yesterday as part of the department’s “Day Trips” tour to connect with area public officials and residents. This stop is part of a statewide circuit to learn how DHCD can support local efforts to improve housing, the small business community and economic development.
“These ‘Day Trips’ are critical to the department’s mission to leave no Maryland community behind. No one knows the needs of a community better than the people who live, lead, and work here and it’s important we learn from them, ” said DHCD Secretary Jake Day. “The leadership in Washington County and its municipalities have been great partners to DHCD over the years – made visible from Fort Ritchie to McCleary Hill to the new baseball stadium. We look forward to continuing to work together as we empower Maryland to “Win the Decade” by investing in community resiliency and sustainability.”
DHCD has provided more than $47 million over the last three fiscal years for projects in Washington County to increase affordable housing, create safe, lovable places and close the digital divide.
“Through these partnerships, the County hopes to foster information sharing and to identify areas in need that will create opportunities for all Washington County residents to access affordable homes and services in communities where they can thrive,” said Washington County Administrator Michelle Gordon. “Sharing local knowledge with the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development Jake Day will assist local and state representatives with housing and community development decision-making for our local community and will advance our shared vision for Washington County residents and businesses.”
“We appreciate the interest and focus that Secretary Day has on Washington County and Hagerstown in particular,” said Hagerstown Mayor Tekesha Martinez. “His motivations to ensure that all Marylanders are able to achieve affordable and quality housing fits perfectly with this City administration’s goals and we look forward to working with DHCD over the coming months.”
Yesterday’s tour started with Secretary Day and other DHCD staff meeting with Washington County officials at Silt Coffee Company.
Afterwards, the group was joined by leadership from both the Washington County and Hagerstown housing authorities for a tour of the McCleary Hill Housing Project. DHCD has provided approximately $35.5 million in financing through various rental housing programs and federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity.
The department also named McCleary Hill the winner in the Outstanding Community Revitalization category as part of awards announced at DHCD’s annual spring breakfast with the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition.
The tour ended with a roundtable discussion with stakeholders and visits to several small businesses at Fort Ritchie in nearby Cascade.
The “Day Trips” tour continues later this month in Baltimore County.