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Department of Housing and Community Development

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Opens Application for UPLIFT Program To Address Homes Impacted by Appraisal Gaps

NEW CARROLLTON, MD – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced applications are open for the UPLIFT (Utilizing Progressive Lending Investments to Finance Transformation) program. The program will address homes impacted by appraisal gaps by accelerating the pace of new construction and rehabilitation of quality affordable housing in strategically identified communities across Maryland.

“UPLIFT is a critical program in the state’s efforts to revitalize disinvested communities, and we’re excited to work with our local partners to make sure it’s a success,” said Secretary Jake Day. “This program will increase homeownership opportunities, address the appraisal gap, and improve quality of life, opening new pathways to work, wages, and wealth for more Marylanders.”

UPLIFT was funded for $10 million through the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which will be deployed as framed by HB625 (known as the “Appraisal Gap Bill”) passed in the 2023 legislative session. Through the program, selected developers will build, sell, and rehabilitate quality affordable housing in targeted neighborhoods in accordance with design and construction standards that ensure quality, timely production, and accountability. UPLIFT will accomplish a variety of related goals, including:

  1. Increasing homeownership in disinvested neighborhoods; 
  2. Upgrading housing for legacy homeowners in appraisal gap neighborhoods;
  3. Revitalizing currently disinvested neighborhoods;
  4. Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions from the Maryland housing stock; and,
  5. Expanding employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for Maryland workers and businesses, especially those from historically disadvantaged demographic groups.

UPLIFT builds on the department’s Homeownership Works (HOW) pilot program, created in 2021, which is investing $10 million into new construction and rehabilitation projects in two Maryland neighborhoods, Johnston Square in Baltimore and Pine Street in Cambridge. The four homes, valued at approximately $24,000 pre-rehabilitation, are now entering the market priced in the low $300,000 range.

UPLIFT projects are required to be located in both a Low-Income Census Tract and in an area designated as a Maryland Sustainable Community. To identify qualifying areas, visit https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=dff652a3d61a4d79abfc64f37be38689

A virtual information session will be held on March 18 at 3:00 p.m., providing an opportunity for interested parties to learn more about the program requirements and application process. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis dependent on funding availability. Projects must meet the Threshold Criteria detailed in the Program Guide. To access the UPLIFT Program Guide,request an application and learn more about the Information Session, visit: https://dhcd.maryland.gov/HousingDevelopment/Pages/UPLIFT.aspx.

 

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