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State of Maryland Designates Four New Sustainable Communities

June 17, 2020 by Andy DeVilbiss

State of Maryland Designates Four New Sustainable Communities

Town of Hancock’s Main Street

New Carrollton, MD (June 17, 2020) – Three Eastern Shore communities and one town in Western Maryland have been named Maryland’s newest Sustainable Communities. With this designation, there are now 121 Sustainable Communities in the state. The program provides local governments with a revitalization “toolbox” of state resources including programs, loans, grants and tax credits that can support brick and mortar community projects, small business development, job creation, and tourism 

Wicomico County – City of Fruitland

Located southeast of Salisbury, Fruitland began developing as a crossroads village and became known as Forktown in the early 1800s. Due to its large and varied agriculture, the name of the developing town was changed to Fruitland, and the City was incorporated in 1947. As a Sustainable Community, Fruitland hopes to maintain its small town roots while building on its strengths as a growing community including a variety of retail opportunities and proximity to the assets of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Through the university, Fruitland is participating in the Well-Connected Communities program sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, connecting the city with funding and programming focused on mental, physical, environmental, and health-related initiatives. Key Sustainable Community goals include creating more park and recreational opportunities for residents, streetscape and façade improvements to support downtown revitalization, and improving pedestrian connections and access to downtown.

Washington County – Town of Hancock

With a population of approximately 1,500, Hancock is one of Maryland’s oldest settlements, incorporated in 1853. Located in the narrowest part of the state, between the Pennsylvania border to the north and the Potomac River to the south, the region features rolling productive agricultural lands, flanked by forested mountains. Hancock was named for Edward Joseph Hancock, Jr., whose family operated the local ferry at this northernmost point of the Potomac River. In addition to its designation as a Sustainable Community, Hancock is also designated as a Main Street Maryland community, a state Arts and Entertainment District, and, most recently, as a federal Opportunity Zone. Hancock is also currently seeking a designation as a Maryland Heritage Areas Targeted Investment Zone. Hancock’s goals include promoting tourism on the Western Maryland Trail, implementing strategies to promote business expansion, creating an attractive gateway for the town, and improving downtown signage. Proposed infrastructure improvements include stormwater retrofits, rehabilitation or demolition of vacant buildings, as well as streetscape and pedestrian improvements.

Town of Hillsboro’s bank building

Caroline County – Town of Hillsboro

Incorporated in 1853, Hillsboro is one of Caroline County’s oldest municipalities, featuring nearby tourist attractions like the Adkins Arboretum, Tuckahoe State Park, and access to Tuckahoe Creek. State Route 404 serves as the Town’s Main Street, and Hillsboro’s historical and cultural assets include a Civil War Trail, an historic episcopal church, the bank building on Main Street, and the Town Hall building, which is the area’s old school house. The town’s key Sustainable Community goals include main street façade improvements, improving sidewalk conditions, the revitalization of the Town Hall building, and improving stormwater drainage on Church Street.

Wicomico County – Town of Willards

The Town of Willards was incorporated in 1906 and has a total population of just under 1,000. Willards benefits from participation in the Town Manager Circuit Rider Program, administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The town’s key goals include: streetscape improvements on Main Street; improvements to public park and recreational facilities with support from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Community Parks and Playgrounds Program; sidewalk improvements, including connections to Willards Elementary School; conducting a stormwater management study and implementing improvements to the system; launching a commercial façade improvement program, and; promoting tax credits to support both the expansion of existing businesses and new business development.

For more information on the Sustainable Communities program, visit https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities/Pages/dn/default.aspx. 

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PUBLIC NOTICE: Notice of a Public Review and Comment Period on 2019 Action Plan Amendments and Citizen Participation Plan Amendments

May 26, 2020 by Andy DeVilbiss

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT PERIOD ON 2019 ACTION PLAN AMENDMENTS AND CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN AMENDMENTS

On March 27, 2020, the United States Congress passed The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (H.R. 748). The bill provided additional funding to rapidly respond to COVID-19 and the economic and housing impacts caused by the pandemic. A substantial amendment to the FY 2019 Annual Action Plan is necessary in order to receive CARES Act funds, and usually a thirty (30) day public comment period is required, however, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has waived this requirement provided that no less than five (5) days are provided for public comments on each substantial amendment. The State of Maryland will be awarded CARES Act funding under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) Program, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG-CV), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA-CV) Program.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development hereby gives notice that the following public review and comment period to examine and consider substantial amendments to the FY 2019 Action Plan to allocate funds awarded under the CARES to immediately prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis will begin on June 2, 2020, and end June 6, 2020 Notice is also given that the State will amend its Citizen Participation Plan to allow flexibility to immediately respond to an emergency situation. 

The State will hold two video conference public meetings to consider the adoption of the FY 2019 Action Plan and Citizen Participation Plan Amendments. The public review and comment period 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. 

The meetings will be conducted in accordance with the State of Maryland’s Safer at Home Advisory. The State will participate in the meetings 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:

Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at 11:00 AM
Join by phone: 1-617-675-4444 PIN: 684 015 632 6119#

Thursday, June 4, 2020, at 7:00 PM
Join by phone: 1-617-675-4444 PIN: 326 584 420 7721#

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. 

Under the CARES Act, Congress provided $5 billion to fund the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG-CV) for activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus crisis. The first $2 billion was distributed using the same formula HUD used to award funds to entitlements and states for FFY 2020. The State of Maryland was awarded $4,691,887 for non-entitlement communities. The CDBG-CV funds will be distributed as follows:

 Under the CARES Act, an additional $4 billion was authorized for the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG-CV) Program. The first $1 billion of that funding was allocated on April 2, 2020. The State of Maryland was awarded $4,031,542for non-entitlement communities. Funds will be awarded to the six current CoC lead agencies in non-entitlement jurisdictions, as well as the five former CoC lead agencies that are now part of the Balance of State. The ESG-CV funds will be distributed as follows:

Under the CARES Act, Congress provided $53,700,000 in formula grants and $10,000,000 in competitive grants to fund the Housing Persons with Aids (HOPWA-CV) Program for activities to prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus crisis. The awards were distributed using the same formula HUD used to award funds to entitlements and states for FFY 2020. The State of Maryland was awarded $79,841 for its non-entitlement, rural community programs. The HOPWA-CV funds will be distributed as follows:

PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD FOR THE AMENDMENT TO 2019 ACTION PLAN AND CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN

The Amendments to the 2019 Action Plan and the Citizen Participation Plan public review and comment period begins on June 2, 2020, and ends June 6, 2020. Copies of the Amendments to the 2019 Action Plan and Citizen Participation Plan can be found on the publications page of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development at https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Pages/Publications.aspx. During the review and comment period about the herein described amendments to the 2019 Action Plan and Citizen Participation Plan, members of the public may submit comments to: 

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

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Hogan Administration Announces Funding for Rural Internet Connectivity

May 22, 2020 by Andy DeVilbiss

Hogan Administration Announces Funding for Rural Internet Connectivity
Nearly $9.6 million to support broadband infrastructure and projects

NEW CARROLLTON, MD (May 22, 2020) – Governor Larry Hogan today announced the Board of Public Works has approved nearly $9.6 million in funding, administered by the Office of Rural Broadband, to support broadband internet connectivity for more than 5,000 households and businesses in Maryland’s rural counties and communities. Housed in the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Office of Rural Broadband was established by executive order in 2017 to expand broadband capabilities statewide in rural areas of Maryland.

“This rapid and unprecedented shift to teleworking and distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrates the importance of high-speed internet access for all Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan. “This funding continues my administration’s proactive efforts to increase broadband service in our state’s underserved communities.”

The Office of Rural Broadband provided nearly $2.3 million to eight local jurisdictions in western and southern Maryland and on the Eastern Shore through the Maryland Broadband Pilot Funding Program. With this funding, local governments will partner with an Internet Service Provider serving the community to develop and manage projects to extend existing networks to incorporate underserved or unserved households. The projects receiving funding will provide internet access to more than 1,300 households and approximately 70 businesses in rural communities.

Additionally, nearly $7.3 million was provided through the Maryland Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, designed to support the construction of necessary broadband infrastructure to expand services. Approximately $5.1 million in funds will support three large-scale broadband infrastructure projects in Somerset, Garrett and Charles Counties. Nearly $2.2 million of this funding was awarded to the Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc. and will extend broadband service to an estimated 950 households in Allegany, Charles, Dorchester, Garrett, and Wicomico Counties.

This funding follows the Board of Public Works’ prior approval of emergency broadband resources to five jurisdictions. Funds were used to expand access to school and library broadband networks in rural communities in response to the COVID-19 Stay At Home Order.

For more information, visit dhcd.maryland.gov/RuralBroadband.

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Legal Notice: Notice of Public Hearing – Residential Rental Housing Projects

May 8, 2020 by Andy DeVilbiss

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING ISSUANCE OF BONDS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS TO FINANCE RESIDENTIAL RENTAL HOUSING PROJECTS

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will conduct a public hearing at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 concerning issuance of bonds or other obligations to finance residential rental housing projects.

DUE TO THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY, THIS PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE CONDUCTED SOLELY VIA TELECONFERENCE. PARTIES INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE PUBLIC HEARING SHOULD CALL (toll free) 1-800-201-5203, PIN: 891244, DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING TIME.

For more information, visit: https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Documents/TEFRA/2020/Notice-05-08.pdf.

Donate at GiveMaryland.org to Support Maryland Unites and #GivingTuesdayNow

May 5, 2020 by Andy DeVilbiss

Donate at GiveMaryland.org to Support Maryland Unites and #GivingTuesdayNow

GiveMaryland.org supports nonprofits across the state like the Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation whose “Push Back Against Poverty” campaign provides homelessness prevention and services.

In response to the unprecedented needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Larry Hogan launched the Maryland Unites campaign to promote charitable giving and volunteerism in Maryland during this challenging time. In the same spirit, the global generosity movement GivingTuesday has announced the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign for Tuesday, May 5, 2020, to spur generosity, engagement, and support for communities and nonprofit organizations.

Hundreds of nonprofit organizations are working to change Maryland for the better, and #GivingTuesdayNow is a great opportunity to help them. Every donation helps, and, if you donate $500 or more, you’ll receive a state tax credit for half your donation amount from the nonprofit thanks to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Investment Tax Credit program.

Support #GivingTuesdayNow and Maryland Unites by visiting GiveMaryland.org and donating to an approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in your community.

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Legal Notice: Notice of Public Hearing – Residential Rental Housing Projects

April 9, 2020 by Andy DeVilbiss

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING ISSUANCE OF BONDS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS TO FINANCE RESIDENTIAL RENTAL HOUSING PROJECTS

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will conduct a public hearing at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 concerning issuance of bonds or other obligations to finance residential rental housing projects. For more information, visit: https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Documents/TEFRA/2020/Notice-04-09.pdf.

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces “Award of Excellence” Honorees

February 25, 2020 by Andy DeVilbiss

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces “Award of Excellence” Honorees

On behalf of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Katie Parks accepts the Award of Excellence from Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Kenneth Holt.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development recently announced the recipients of the Department’s Award of Excellence. Organizations and their leadership teams are honored for partnering with the state to create and preserve affordable housing and revitalize communities.

“These award winners are true leaders who demonstrate what successfully executed public-private partnerships can achieve,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt.

The Award of Excellence honorees are:

• Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (Michael Braverman and Jason Hessler) – Recognized for ongoing support of Governor Larry Hogan’s Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise) initiative to remove blight and rapidly transform communities.

• City Life Historic Builders, Cross Street Partners, and Strong City Baltimore (Anne Riggle) – Recognized for restoration of the historic Hoen Lithograph Building in East Baltimore to create a commercial center to support businesses and the community.

• Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (Katie Parks) – Recognized for creative leadership in restoring the historic Phillips Packing Company, Factory F in Cambridge, Maryland for tourism connected to food, entertainment, and job creation.

• Enterprise Homes (Chickie Grayson) – Recognized for partnership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to create and preserve high-quality affordable housing throughout Maryland.

• ReBUILD Metro (Sean Closkey) – Recognized for preserving affordable housing in the Greenmount West and Johnston Square neighborhoods of Baltimore.

• Seawall Development (Thibault Manekin) – Recognized for extensive redevelopment efforts in central Baltimore including Miller’s Court, R. House, Union Collective, and Lexington Market.

• Southwest Partnership  (Michael Seipp) – Recognized for leadership in organizing the Southwest Partnership and uniting a broad and disengaged community to acquire and rehabilitate important commercial and residential structures.

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Hogan Administration Announces $700,000 Community Development Block Grant to Allegany County; Matching $750,000 Federal Hazard Mitigation Grant

February 20, 2020 by Sara Luell

Hogan Administration Announces $700,000 Community Development Block Grant to Allegany County; Matching $750,000 Federal Hazard Mitigation Grant

Funding will support relocation of residents out of a floodplain

New Carrollton, Md. (February 20, 2020) – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced a $700,000 Community Development Block Grant to Allegany County. The funding will be used to purchase land and relocate residents from a portion of the Garden City Mobile Home Park that lies in the floodplain and had previously flooded as recently as 2014.

“We want residents to live in a safe place out of harm’s way,” said Housing Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “Importantly, we are able to use this funding to leverage additional federal dollars and make a real impact in this community.”

As part of the project, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) secured $750,000 in funding through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. This program serves as a mechanism for MEMA to reduce future risks and build resilient communities that thrive.

The project will eliminate the flood risk by relocating residents and structures out of harm’s way. Stream restoration will also be a component of the project.

“Approximately 75% of all disaster declarations are associated with flooding,” said Russell Strickland, MEMA’s Executive Director. “In the U.S. however, thousands of homes are damaged by flood waters each year in jurisdictions where a presidential disaster is not declared,” he continued. “Projects like this are an important way to improve the resilience of Maryland communities. MEMA continues to work with our local, state, and Federal partners to shape a more resilient Maryland where communities thrive.”

The Community Development Block Grant program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. During the Hogan administration, the state has administered nearly $40 million in CDBG assistance for more than 100 projects across Maryland. In Fiscal Year 2020, the state housing department allocated nearly $7.8 million in CDBG funding for previously announced community development and infrastructure projects, homelessness prevention and special projects across the state.

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Hogan Administration Announces First State Housing Finance Bond Rating Upgrade in 40 Years

February 19, 2020 by Andy DeVilbiss

Hogan Administration Announces First State Housing Finance Bond Rating Upgrade in 40 Years

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 19, 2020) – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced that Moody’s Investors Service, a major credit rating agency, has upgraded the Maryland Community Development Administration’s Residential Revenue Bond Program. The upgrade took place in connection with the $130.75 million 2020 Series A (Non-AMT) and $9.25 million 2020 Series B (AMT) bond issuance.

“This upgrade demonstrates our commitment to solid fiscal management amid an unprecedented growth in our affordable homeownership program,” Governor Larry Hogan said. “Thanks to the hard work of our team at the Department of Housing and Community Development, we have one of the most effectively managed bond programs in the nation.”

The upgrade by Moody’s Investor Service to an Aa1 rating with Stable Outlook from an Aa2 rating is based upon the robust pace of first-time homebuyer loan originations over the last several years, and the expectation that increased bond issuance in 2020 will be used to purchase mortgage-backed securities, thereby reducing the portfolio’s overall exposure to whole loans and reducing risk within the program.

The rating upgrade comes shortly after the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s recent announcement that the Maryland Mortgage Program has reached $1 billion in reservations in 2019, representing more than 4,000 homebuyers. The Maryland Mortgage Program provides fixed-rate mortgages that are available with downpayment and closing cost assistance, tax incentives, and the nationally-recognized innovative student debt relief homeownership initiative, Maryland SmartBuy.

“Bond issuances generate critical funding for many of the department’s programs, particularly homeownership programs,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “This historic ratings upgrade will make these bond issuances more attractive to investors and potentially expand our resources to provide safe, sustainable mortgages to prospective Maryland homebuyers.”

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Owen McEvoy, Director of the Office of Public Information
owen.mcevoy@maryland.gov, 443-679-7653

Sara Luell, Director of Communications
sara.luell@maryland.gov, 301-429-7803

Video Release: Governor Hogan Celebrates Groundbreaking for Lexington Market Redevelopment

February 18, 2020 by Andy DeVilbiss

Video Release: Governor Hogan Celebrates Groundbreaking for Lexington Market Redevelopment

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 18, 2020) – Governor Larry Hogan today participated in a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of redevelopment of Baltimore’s historic Lexington Market, the longest operating public market in America. The governor was joined by Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Kenneth C. Holt, Maryland Department of General Services Secretary Ellington Churchill, Jr., city officials, development partners, and local stakeholders.

(Watch)

“The State of Maryland needs a strong Baltimore City, which is why our administration has been fighting for dramatic change here,” said Governor Hogan. “Today we are making our latest investment in the city with the redevelopment of this historic Lexington Market, which is another step in the revitalization and transformation of this city, and just one more way that we are continuing to change Maryland for the better.”

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Owen McEvoy, Director of the Office of Public Information
owen.mcevoy@maryland.gov, 443-679-7653

Sara Luell, Director of Communications
sara.luell@maryland.gov, 301-429-7803