Affordable Housing Top Focus of DHCD Day Trip to Prince George’s County
New Carrollton, MD. – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day spent two days in Prince George’s County as part of DHCD’s ongoing Day Trips tour, visiting housing developments, businesses and infrastructure projects directly supported by the department.
Created in 2023, the tour has provided Secretary Day and other senior staff the opportunity to see first-hand the positive effects the department has had on local communities across Maryland. The visits provided area leaders, business owners and residents the chance to connect with DHCD personally to learn about the department’s key loan and grant programs.
From Fiscal Year 2020 to 2025, DHCD has provided Prince George’s County with more than $791 million in support for broadband, neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing and homelessness solutions projects.
This latest Day Trip was also unique because DHCD headquarters is located in Lanham, the only State of Maryland agency to be primarily based in Prince George’s County.
“Prince George’s County is our home and I was proud to see the impact of our work on the community up close on our visit,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “The continuing collaboration with our county and municipal leaders to create more affordable housing and build strong businesses will ultimately elevate Prince George’s County.”
“Strong partnerships between our county and state leadership are essential to ensuring that our residents thrive,” said Aisha N. Braveboy, Prince George’s County Executive. “I’m confident that by working together with our colleagues at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (MD-DHCD), we can align our resources to advance our shared priority of increasing the number of affordable housing units that we need for families in Prince George’s County. I believe collaboration is good government — and that it will lead us to the solutions we need to serve county residents.”
DHCD’s 22nd Day Trip began Monday, with Secretary Day traveling to the District Heights Senior Center. The City of District Heights received funding by the department’s Local Government Infrastructure Finance program, which was used to construct a senior center and youth counseling center, as well as other renovations. The LGIF program issues bonds, on behalf of counties, municipalities or other entities, to finance projects that serve the community at large.
“The reimaging of Marlboro Pike is about more than bricks and mortar—it’s about creating a healthier, more sustainable future for our community,” said Cynthia Miller, Mayor of District Heights. “By anchoring new development with grocery options and innovative tools like hydroponic farming, we can ensure seniors and families alike have access to fresh, nutritious food right here at home. This transformation will not only strengthen local business and bring good jobs to our residents, but also improve the everyday quality of life in District Heights and beyond.”
Afterwards, the group traveled to College Park, where a Project Restore grant allowed the Li Chun Cafe to renovate its space and purchase additional equipment and furniture. The CHSW grant was awarded to the City of College Park, who in turn provided the funds to the cafe and other businesses.
Following the visit to Lin Chun Cafe, the group visited another site on Baltimore Avenue slated for redevelopment.
“Through DHCD’s assistance via Project Restore 2.0 and tax credits, we were able to secure the funding and resources to bring new businesses into vacant spaces as well as a brand-new affordable housing development to College Park,” said Kenny Young, City Manager for College Park.
In the evening, DHCD hosted a reception for local municipal officials, who learned more about Governor Wes Moore’s recent “Housing Starts Here” executive order and the department’s upcoming legislative agenda.
Tuesday’s tour started in Fairmount Heights and a tour of Net Zero Homes, an example of sustainable homeownership. The project used multiple state and county funding sources, including the Department’s National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund (NED), which provides competitive funds in support of commercial and residential activities in areas targeted for revitalization.
The group then traveled to Riverdale Station Apartments in Riverdale and the Flats at College Park, as well as a stop in Bowie to visit Hill House at Beechfield, a senior housing development that received help from the department in several ways, including NED funding and gap funding through its Rental Housing Works program.
The tour closed in Largo, where Secretary Day had a roundtable discussion with elected officials and other community leaders on local issues and the solutions the department can provide.
Photos from the Prince George’s County Day Trip can be found at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Flickr account.
The Day Trips tour will make its final stop this fall in Cecil County.