Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces State’s First Housing Ombudsman
Steven A. Palmer to fill new position established by Governor Wes Moore’s “Housing Starts Here” Executive Order
NEW CARROLLTON, MD (January 21, 2026) – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day today announced the Department has hired Steven A. Palmer as the State of Maryland’s Housing Ombudsman. Palmer joins the agency’s Division of Policy, Strategy and Research, filling the new position established by Governor Wes Moore’s “Housing Starts Here” Executive Order.
As Maryland’s inaugural Housing Ombudsman, Palmer will help increase Maryland’s housing production by improving processes and cooperation between government, industry partners, and community stakeholders. These efforts will include troubleshooting ongoing housing development projects that have been delayed by state and local permitting or entitlement processes and facilitating housing development on high-potential sites, such as government-owned land.
“To make Maryland more affordable, to spur economic growth and keep up with our neighbors, to ensure that every current and future resident can find a home in our great state, we must build more housing of all types and sizes, and we must build it quickly,” said Secretary Day. “As the state’s first-ever Housing Ombudsman, Steven’s passion and expertise will help Maryland meet this challenge by strengthening both policies and partnerships to cut red tape and remove roadblocks that too often constrict and delay housing production.”
An attorney focused on public service and policy, Palmer joins the department after serving as Director of Public Policy at Housing&, a nonprofit association serving Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. In that role, he advocated for more affordable housing and racially equitable communities. Before his tenure at Housing&, Palmer served in various legislative roles at the Council of the District of Columbia, where he advised council members, conducted agency oversight, and drafted legislation, including legislation that removed racist and exclusionary covenants from housing deeds.
Originally from Olney, Maryland, Palmer is a proud alumnus of Montgomery County Public Schools and the University of Maryland, College Park. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he returned to the region to briefly practice law as an associate at Covington & Burling LLP before entering government service. In his spare time, he enjoys rooting for the University of Maryland Terrapins with his wife, Katherine, and their very large corgi, Puff.
“Growing up in Maryland provided me with unlimited opportunity, truly setting the stage for my life. It was only possible because my family moved to the state during a time of abundant and affordable housing supply,” said Palmer. “I am honored to serve my home state and to join the wonderful team at DHCD in their efforts to meet the state’s housing needs, create great places and unlock Maryland’s fullest potential so that every family has the same chance to build a stable future.”
To learn more about the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and the work of the Department’s Division of Policy, Strategy and Research, visit dhcd.maryland.gov.
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