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Department of Housing and Community Development

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces $850,500 in Grants to Support Safer Neighborhoods and Lovable Places in the Metro Washington Region

New Carrollton, MD. (July 25, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced it has awarded $850,500 in grants to improve health and safety of neighborhoods for counties in the Metro Washington region through the department’s Community Health and Safety Works (CHSW) program. 

Local governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible for CHSW grant funding to implement crime prevention strategies through physical design improvements, operational activities and other community-driven strategies. CHSW projects are required to be located in Baltimore City or an area designated as a Maryland Sustainable Community elsewhere in the state.

“One of DHCD’s key missions is creating lovable places in Maryland where pride-in-place is strong but reinvestment is needed,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “The projects funded through the Community Health and Safety Works program will not only make Maryland neighborhoods safer, cleaner and more lovable, but will support community-driven efforts that will have an impact on generations to come.”

CHSW awards fall into one of four competitive categories: 

  1. Community Placemaking: Community-led collaborations that engage artists and designers to create lovable and safer spaces for community use. 
  2. Environmental Health and Justice: Elimination of predatory and unhealthy practices such as illegal dumping, litter and traffic hazards and address urban heat islands and other conditions related to climate change. 
  3. Cameras, Lighting, and Related Safety Services: Increased surveillance of illegal and dangerous activities in communities through lighting, camera strategies and related community safety services and technology. 
  4. Technical Assistance for CHSW Initiatives: Nonprofit providers that will provide project design and implementation support to the awardees of CHSW project funding. Grant amounts are determined by the scope of services provided.

A total of 108 awards worth $9,750,000 were provided in the Fiscal Year 2024 round of funding across 20 Maryland counties and Baltimore City. 

In the state’s Metro Washington region, Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties received a combined $850,500 to support 11 projects.

Some awardees include:

  • The Town of Colmar Manor in Prince George’s County will use $81,500 to create a street mural and lighting next to the historic Dueling Grounds.
  • The City of Takoma Park in Montgomery County will use $92,000 to deter illegal dumping, roadway improvements and traffic calming measures with mobile surveillance cameras. 
  • The Downtown Frederick Partnership in Frederick County will use $100,000 to support the Downtown Frederick Ambassador Program which provides consistent cleaning, hospitality, and safety services in downtown Frederick.

Here’s what local leaders are saying about the announcement: 

“We envision ‘Streets of Solidarity,’ an artistic lighting and street painting project at the historic Dueling Grounds, illuminating our commitment to a safer, more equitable community,” said Colmar Manor Mayor Monica Casañas. “This project not only honors our past but also challenges our future, using art to confront senseless gun violence. Together, through light and color, we forge a path of unity and healing at our historic dueling grounds.”

 “The City of Takoma Park looks forward to using this award to transform a hidden section of our City from an illegal dumping site to a public greenspace,” said Patti Mallin, Grants Coordinator for the City of Takoma Park. “The reclaiming of excess roadway will discourage dumping, and replacing asphalt with native plants, extending the existing woodland, and installing bioretention areas will naturally treat stormwater runoff as it flows into a stream and eventually the Bay. We can’t wait to provide this neighborhood with a beautiful natural space to replace an ongoing health hazard.”

“Receiving $100,000 to implement the Downtown Frederick Ambassador Program represents a significant investment in the heart of our community,” said Kara Norman, Executive Director of Downtown Frederick Partnership. “This funding will enhance the vibrancy of Downtown Frederick, ensuring a welcoming and engaging experience for both residents and visitors. We are excited to continue this program, which will not only support local businesses but also foster a sense of unity and pride within our city. Our commitment to revitalizing and enriching our downtown area is unwavering, and this generous grant will play a crucial role in realizing that vision.”

“We are deeply honored and excited to receive the DHCD’s Community Health and Safety Grant under the Community Placemaking category,” said Rhonda Dallas, CEO and Chief Curator at the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council. “With its transformational potential, this grant will enable us to further our mission of enriching our community through creative placemaking and creating vibrant, safe, and inclusive spaces. We look forward to working with our partners and community members to bring to life new, innovative Blue Line/Central Avenue Corridor projects in the Seat Pleasant, Capitol Heights, and Fairmont Heights communities that will enhance the cultural fabric of our county, build community cohesion, and catalyze economic revitalization. We thank DHCD for this generous support and their significant role in fostering community resilience and creativity.”

“Middletown is proud to be a safe place to live, work, and raise a family, so we continually work in partnership with our community members and our Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Community Deputies to prevent crime, protect lives and property, and ensure the safety of our residents and business owners,” said Paul Mantello, Middletown Town Administrator. “The Department of Housing & Community Development’s Community Health & Safety Works Program presented an excellent opportunity to add increased crime prevention, deterrence, and surveillance at our public parks, given the recent increases in transient crimes.  DHCD’s many wonderful programs, like Community Health & Safety Works, are critical for small municipalities with limited resources, like Middletown.”

“The Thurmont Police Department is excited to expand our surveillance camera coverage in public parks and places, as well as launch a new drone program,” said Thurmont Police Chief David Armstrong. “Building on the success of previous camera installations funded by DHCD grants, we are confident these initiatives will help us maintain a safe environment for residents, business owners, and visitors of Thurmont. These programs will play a crucial role in preventing crime and, should incidents occur, in facilitating case resolution, item recovery, and prosecution of offenders. We extend our sincere thanks on behalf of the citizens, Town Commissioners, and police officers of the Town of Thurmont.”

More information on the Community Health and Safety Works program and how to apply can be found here.

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