LEGAL NOTICE: Updating Maryland’s Five Year Consolidated Plan and 2021 Annual Action Plan
LEGAL NOTICE
UPDATING MARYLAND’S FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND 2021 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
Under the guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), notice is hereby given that the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will hold a combined, second set of public hearings on its new Draft Five Year Consolidated Plan (2020-2025) and first set of public hearings for the 2021 Annual Action Plan.
The Consolidated Plan is a five-year planning document required by HUD that sets out overall Statewide goals and priorities for housing, community development, and economic development activities. Special emphasis is given under the Plan to provide assistance for extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income persons.
The Consolidated Plan also makes it possible for DHCD, public housing authorities, local governments, nonprofit organizations, community action agencies and others to apply for funding under HUD’s competitive grant programs. Local public housing authority Plans must be consistent with the State’s Consolidated Plan, and USDA Rural Development housing programs and Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits are also coordinated with the Plan. Lastly, while not directly covered by the Consolidated Plan, HUD funding allocations for the Section 8 Certificate and Voucher programs may be made in a way that enables jurisdictions to carry out their Consolidated Plan.
In addition to being a planning document, the Consolidated Plan also serves as the State’s application to HUD for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG), Housing Opportunity With AIDS (HOPWA) and National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) funds. For 2020, DHCD will receive in $7.9 million CDBG funds, $6.2 million in HOME funds, $1.1 million ESG funds and a total of $2.1 million HOPWA funds for the State’s Rural Program and HOPWA funds on behalf of Montgomery and Frederick Counties; $4.4 in HTF funds. For the 2021 Annual Action Plan, the State will receive $7.9 million in CDBG funds, $6.4 million in HOME funds, $1.1 million in ESG funds and a total of $2.2 million in HOPWA funds for the State’s Rural Program and HOPWA funds on behalf of Montgomery and Frederick Counties. HTF funding for 2021 has not been released. These funds are used primarily in the State’s rural areas, as many communities, including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties, as well as the Cities of Annapolis, Baltimore, Bowie, Cumberland, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Hagerstown and Salisbury prepare their own Consolidated Plans and receive their own funding directly from HUD.
Consolidated Plan 2020-2025 Process
In developing its Consolidated Plan, the State determined it will continue to focus its resources on four main priorities Revitalizing Communities, Expanding the Supply of Decent Affordable Housing, Providing Homeownership Opportunities and Reducing Homelessness. DHCD has written the Draft 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan, which will be released for 5 days of public comment (including written comment) beginning Monday, April 19, 2021 and ending Friday, April 23, 2021. The final version of the Plan will be submitted to HUD in May. The public review and comment period for the 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan are in accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) guidance issued April 1, 2020, as part of its COVID-19 response.
2021 Annual Action Plan Process
At this point, nothing has been written for the 2021 Annual Plan update. These hearings are to gather initial input about what should be in the 2021 Annual Plan. DHCD will then write the Draft 2021 Annual Plan, which will be released for 30 days of public comment (including written comment). After the public has had several weeks to review the Draft 2021 Annual Plan, a second set of hearings will be held. Additional comments, recommendations, and suggestions will be taken during these hearings (and during the full public comment period), the final version of the 2021 Annual Plan will then be submitted to HUD.
Hearings
The State will jointly hold two public hearings; the second set of hearings on the 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan and the first set of hearings on the 2021 Annual Action Plan.
The State will participate in the hearings by video and telephone conference, with no physical meeting location. If you wish to participate in the public hearing via video, please email janai.streat@maryland.gov to receive a link. These real-time virtual public hearings will take place on:
Monday, April 19, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.
Join by phone: 1 617-675-4444 PIN: 185 082 732 8897#
Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.
Join by phone: 1 617-675-4444 PIN: 846 941 714 2720#
The Consolidated plan can be found at https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Pages/ConsolidatedPlan.aspx. The State will make every effort to accommodate those with disabilities by providing the meetings in both audio and visual format. Persons requiring a translator should request one at least three days prior to the virtual hearing they plan to attend. Any questions or comments should be directed to the address or e-mail listed below:
Mrs. Ja’Nai Streat
Senior Housing Policy Analyst
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
7800 Harkins Road
Lanham, Maryland 20706
301-429-7445 or Maryland Relay for the Deaf at 1-800-735-2258
janai.streat@maryland.gov