Affordable Housing at the Center of DHCD’s Day Trip to Anne Arundel County

Stops in Severn and Odenton highlight potential opportunities for State-County partnerships

SEVERN, Md. – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day visited Anne Arundel County on Thursday as part of his Day Trips series designed to better connect to the state’s communities.

Anne Arundel County’s visit focused on how to create more affordable housing and economic development opportunities in parts of the county. From FY2020-24, DHCD has provided more than $400 million in financial support for affordable housing, improvements for broadband infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization.

“Anne Arundel County and DHCD have always had strong ties,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “Visits like today only strengthen those ties. We are here to listen and work together with local leadership to ensure that no one is left behind and to make Anne Arundel County the best place for all of its residents.”

“We were honored to welcome Secretary Jake Day to Anne Arundel County,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “These tours are an important platform to spark dialogue and identify opportunities for meaningful partnerships. When state and county entities collaborate in this way, we can find new and innovative ways to address our region’s challenges together.”

The Anne Arundel County tour began at the Severn Center, where county officials gave an overview of housing and revitalization in the county. Additionally, Secretary Day participated in a discussion with the county’s agency heads, as well as community and economic development partners to learn more about the effects of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on county residents and the local economy.

Afterward, Secretary Day and DHCD staff toured sites in Severn and Odenton and spoke about potential ways the state could support these places through revitalization and housing programs.

The tour ended with a roundtable discussion with several Anne Arundel County officials and stakeholders on the county’s efforts to increase affordable housing.

The Anne Arundel County visit was DHCD’s eighth Day Trip since the tours started in the fall of 2023. The department will continue its visits across Maryland in Dorchester County later in April.