Newsroom

College Park City-University Partnership Homeownership Program Hits 50th Homebuyer Milestone

June 10, 2019 by Andy DeVilbiss

COLLEGE PARK CITY-UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Eric Olson
240 416-3184; Eolson@collegeparkpartnership.org

College Park City-University Partnership Homeownership Program Hits 50th Homebuyer Milestone
Employees living in College Park a key success of 2020 University District Vision

COLLEGE PARK, MD – The College Park City-University Partnership has closed its 50th loan in College Park. The Program, funded through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Community Legacy program and matching grants from the City of College Park and the University of Maryland, is a tremendous success.

The Partnership’s Homeownership Program, funded by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and matching grants from the University of Maryland and the City of College Park, provides $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, structured as a 10-year forgivable loan, to full-time, benefits-eligible UMD employees and full-time City of College Park employees choosing to live in College Park. The Program undergirds a larger effort to make College Park a top-university community as outlined in the University District Vision 2020; including a more walkable and vibrant Baltimore Avenue, founding and success of College Park Academy, a greener community, the incoming Purple Line and more. It is designed to increase homeownership in College Park, reduce commutes, and contribute to our local economy, which are all goals outlined in the University District Vision 2020.

Since the Homeownership Program was launched in summer 2015, 50 homes have been purchased (9 being former rental properties and 10 coupling with the City’s New Neighbor Grant program), bringing 122 residents and upwards of $17.6 million in home sales. 68 percent are first-time homebuyers and over half indicated they would walk, bike or use public transit to get to work.

“Downpayment and closing costs are often a barrier to homeownership, but our cooperative efforts have now helped 50 university and city employees purchase a home in College Park,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Kenneth C. Holt.” These engaged, invested homeowners will support the community’s positive growth, and the State of Maryland is proud to partner with the City of College Park and the University of Maryland for this highly successful initiative.”

“This milestone shows that our joint investments are transforming College Park into an attractive community in which to live and raise a family,” said University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh. “Together we’re sparking a renaissance of College Park.”

“The positive effects of this program on the economic, social and environmental landscapes of College Park continue to be felt – and will be for years to come. We look forward to the Program’s continuing success into the future,” said College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn.

Thanks to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the City of College Park, and the University of Maryland, more University and City employees are living near their work in College Park. This is a critical goal of both the City of College Park and the University of Maryland.

“More and more UMD faculty and staff are moving to College Park,” said Senator Jim Rosapepe, Chair of the Partnership. “They see what we all see: it’s becoming a top 20 college town.”

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For information on the program, please visit: www.collegeparkpartnership.org/homeownershipprogram

To read about the homebuyers, visit: https://collegeparkpartnership.org/homeownershipprogram/homebuyers/

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Planting Event Launches Baltimore Natural Dyes Initiative

May 21, 2019 by Sara Luell

On April 25, volunteers and partners planted 765 Black-Eyed Susans at the Parks and People Foundation 9-acre LEED Platinum headquarters and campus in west Baltimore.  The event was a milestone in the Baltimore Natural Dyes Initiative, a multi-agency pilot project to create the area’s first natural dye farm and processing site. The initiative will support urban farming, economic opportunities, community redevelopment, international relations, and the arts in Maryland.

The project will employ two part-time farmers and provide raw materials and educational opportunities for college students at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).  Annually, the initiative will introduce and engage more than 500 Baltimore City youth and countless visitors to the project through Parks and People educational programs. High school interns enrolled in Parks and People’s Branches program will help the farmers plant and maintain the farm as an introduction to careers in agriculture.

The funding partners, providing a combined $300,000 to support the pilot project, include the Maryland Department of Commerce through the Maryland State Arts Council, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (providing $100,000 through the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative), the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corp. (MARBIDCO), and the Baltimore Development Corp. Additional key partners include the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), which is developing a curriculum to teach and better understand the natural dyeing process, promote the benefits of natural dyes, and engage those that may be interested in using the dyes for artistic or commercial applications as well as the Parks and People Foundation, which is serving as the host site for the farming operation.

The Baltimore Natural Dyes Initiative is a result of Governor Hogan’s trade mission to Asia and a subsequent visit to South Korea by First Lady Yumi Hogan. The First Lady was inspired to pilot the initiative after touring the Natural Dyeing Cultural Center in South Korea. Parks and People has agreed to serve as host site for the farm, and coordinate partners and activities from March 2019 through September 2020.

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Maryland Opportunity Zone Information Exchange Wins National StateScoop50 Award

May 7, 2019 by Sara Luell

Maryland Opportunity Zone Information Exchange Wins National StateScoop50 Award

Project is recognized as State IT Innovation of the Year

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 7, 2019) – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Maryland Opportunity Zone Information Exchange was recently recognized as the State IT Innovation of the Year at the StateScoop 50 awards, beating out more than 40 other nominees from across the country.

The annual StateScoop 50 Awards honor the best and the brightest who make state government more efficient and effective. The awards, which were presented on May 5 at a reception in National Harbor, Md., honor state government information technology and cybersecurity executives, industry influencers, up-and-comers and innovative projects.

The first comprehensive resource of its kind in the nation, the Maryland Opportunity Zone Information Exchange is an interactive, geographic information system website featuring projects and businesses in the 149 Opportunity Zones throughout Maryland and serves as the State of Maryland’s core tool to facilitate Opportunity Zone investment. The exchange is open to the public and provides the latest information on Opportunity Zone activity for investors, fund managers, property developers, new or expanding businesses and local stakeholders, including, most importantly, a comprehensive list of the state and local incentives available in specific Opportunity Zones.

Since its launch, the Maryland Opportunity Zone Information Exchange has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users, and the Exchange has been presented at several national conferences. Additionally, the Maryland Opportunity Zone Leadership Task Force, chaired by Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, has held regional summits across the state to present the Exchange to local stakeholders. Currently, the Information Exchange lists 96 projects totaling $12 billion of capital investments, comprising 29,000 housing units and 45 million square feet of commercial development throughout Maryland’s 149 Opportunity Zones.

For more information about Opportunity Zones and to visit the Maryland Opportunity Zone Information Exchange, visit http://dhcd.maryland.gov/OpportunityZones.

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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

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Legal Notice: Updating Maryland’s Annual Plan

May 7, 2019 by Andy DeVilbiss

Legal Notice
Updating Maryland’s Annual 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 (the Department) will hold a series of public hearings to develop its new draft Annual Plan update of the State’s Consolidated 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. 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 Solutions Grants (ESG), Housing Opportunity With AIDS (HOPWA) and the Housing Trust Fund (HTF). 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 receive their own funding directly from HUD.

In addition to the above, it should also be noted that the Consolidated Plan also makes it possible for the Department, 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 Farmer’s Home 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 developing its five-year Plan, the State determined it would focus its resources on four main priorities: Revitalizing Communities, Expanding the Supply of Decent Affordable Housing, Providing Homeownership Opportunities, and Reducing Homelessness. The Annual Plan update (which will be for the fifth year of the current Five Year Plan) will establish one-year goals for these priorities.

The draft Annual Plan has been written. It should be noted that HUD has changed the Annual Plan from a written document to a largely online tool using pre-filled data. The Department has written a draft Annual Plan, using the new online system using the data that HUD has provided, and has opened a 30 day public comment period beginning Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Hearings will be held beginning the third week in May. Written comments (by both email and standard mail) will also be accepted at the hearings, or may be submitted in writing through COB Wednesday, June 5, 2019 (at the address listed below).  The final version of the Annual Plan will be submitted to HUD on or around June 11, 2019.

The draft Annual Plan is available on-line on DHCD’s website at http://dhcd.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx. It can be found under the “Publications” heading at the bottom of the website.  In addition, copies of the draft Annual Plan are available at the following libraries: the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, the Blackwell Library in Salisbury, the Washington County Free Library in Hagerstown, the Lewis J. Ort Library in Frostburg, the Frederick Douglas Library in Princess Anne, and the Southern Maryland Regional Library in Charlotte Hall. A large print version is available at the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Baltimore. Free copies of the draft Annual Plan are also available by calling, writing, or emailing the address and phone numbers listed below.

The hearings on the draft Annual Plan will be held at the following dates, times, and places:

Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Towson Library
320 York Road
Wilson Room
Towson, Maryland 21204

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 11:30 a.m.
Fairview Branch Library
Study Room
Rt. 4 and Chaneyville Road
Owings, Maryland 20736

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.
Caroline County Central Library
100 Market Street
Small Meeting Room
Denton, Maryland 21629

Friday, May 24, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
Allegany County Office Complex
701 Kelly Road
Potomac Room 230
Cumberland, Maryland 21502

All of the hearing rooms are accessible to persons with disabilities. Persons requiring a translator should request one at least three days prior to the hearing they plan to attend.  Any questions or comments should be directed to me at the address, phone numbers, or email listed below:

Ms. Ja’Nai C. 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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Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Hosts Inaugural Maryland Youth Homelessness Symposium

May 3, 2019 by Sara Luell

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Hosts Inaugural Maryland Youth Homelessness Symposium

Two Day Event Connects Service Providers and Local Governments

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 3, 2019) – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development this week kicked off the inaugural Maryland Youth Homelessness Symposium, held May 1-2 at the Westin Hotel in Annapolis.

“Homeless youth are a critically under-noticed and under-served demographic of a population that is already marginalized,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt during the opening program. “I hope our work together over the next two days helps all of us to better understand strategies to serve this population and to build the capacity of local organizations to do so.”

Through the work of the Youth REACH initiatives supported by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, it is estimated that there are between 1,000-1,500 unaccompanied youth and young adults under the age of 25 experiencing homelessness in Maryland. The Hogan Administration has increased the focus of addressing youth homelessness by setting aside funds for youth-specific programs. In Fiscal Year 2020, Governor Hogan included an additional $1 million of funding to address this need. The Governor’s new funding allocation significantly expands the department’s ability to support innovative services to homeless youth.

The department sponsored the inaugural Maryland Youth Homelessness Symposium in conjunction with the University of Maryland School of Social Work’s Institute for Innovation and Implementation. Attendees included representatives from a wide range of State and local government agencies and nonprofit service providers, as well as youth who are experiencing or have experienced homelessness directly. Topics focused on removing barriers to housing, education, family reunification, and employment for youth, as well as strategies to better connect affected individuals to resources.

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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

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Governor Hogan Signs Major Expansion of Opportunity Zone Initiative

April 30, 2019 by Andy DeVilbiss

For immediate release:
April 30, 2019
Contact:
Shareese Churchill, shareese.churchill@maryland.gov, 410-974-2316

Governor Hogan Signs Major Expansion of Opportunity Zone Initiative
Legislation Further Fosters Environment of Economic Opportunity

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today signed major legislation to advance one of his top priorities: bringing jobs and businesses to underserved communities. Senate Bill 581 extends benefits under the Hogan administration’s landmark More Jobs For Marylanders program to the state’s 149 Opportunity Zones. The governor highlighted this initiative in his State of the State address.

“We are pleased to enact this major legislation to help foster an environment of economic opportunity, create thousands of jobs, and revitalize the Maryland communities that need our help the most,” said Governor Hogan. “We will supercharge investment and make Maryland’s 149 Opportunity Zones the most competitive ones in America.”

Governor Hogan’s More Jobs for Marylanders program was enacted two years ago, and further expanded last year, to offer manufacturing companies that grow or expand in the state to be eligible for tax incentives. The legislation the governor signed today extends those same benefits to all businesses that locate or expand in Maryland’s Opportunity Zones.

“The legislation enacted today further solidifies Maryland’s status as a national leader in implementing the Opportunity Zones program,” said Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, chair of the Maryland Opportunity Zone Leadership Task Force. “Our administration is taking every action to ensure that this program truly makes a difference in the communities that need it the most.”

Additionally, this legislation paves the way for jurisdictions to offer a property tax credit for vacant properties in Opportunity Zones that are put back into use. Through the Department of Commerce, it also makes additional tax credits available to businesses that take part in the Opportunity Zone program.

This is one of 174 bills Governor Hogan signed on Tuesday alongside Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller and Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones.

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

April 26, 2019 by Andy DeVilbiss

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

Notice is hereby given that the Community Development Administration (the “Administration”), a unit of the Division of Development Finance of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, will conduct a public hearing at 12:00 pm, on Monday May 6, 2019 at Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, 7800 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706 in Room 364. The public hearing will concern the plan of financing, including the loans funded from the proceeds of private activity bonds issued by the Administration and/or the State of Maryland (the “State”) acting through its Board of Public Works, for financing the acquisition, construction, renovation, rehabilitation or other costs of the multifamily residential rental housing projects listed below (the “Projects”) in an amount not to exceed the maximum aggregate amount of private activity bond obligations to be issued for such Projects as set forth below (or refunding of any obligation by other obligations in amounts up to such maximum aggregate principal amount.) Additional information relating to the bonds to be issued and each Project is available by writing Diane Melton at the above address or calling 301-429-7710.

Name Of Project	Number Units in Project	Prospective Location by Street Address	Initial owner, operator, or manager	Maximum Aggregate Amount of obligations to be issued
1234 McElderry	104	1234 McElderry Street Baltimore, MD 21202 (Baltimore City)	1234 McElderry LLC	$22,000,000

All interested parties are invited to submit written comments or present oral comments at the public hearing regarding the issuance of bonds, notes, or other obligations of the Administration and/or the State for the Projects being financed. Written comments or notice of intent to present oral comments should be received by the Administration on or before, May 5, 2019 and should be submitted to Diane Melton, Housing Development Programs, 7800 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706 or diane.melton@maryland.gov. Oral comments will be limited to presentations of no more than five (5) minutes per person.

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Maryland Announces Four New Sustainable Communities

April 18, 2019 by Andy DeVilbiss

Maryland Announces Four New Sustainable Communities

New, Carrollton, MD (April 18, 2019) – Three Eastern Shore towns and one community in Carroll County have been named Maryland’s newest Sustainable Communities. With the addition of East New Market, Finksburg, Galena, and Hebron, the Smart Growth Subcabinet has designated 116 Sustainable Communities across Maryland since the creation of the program in 2010. Sustainable Community designations help Maryland’s diverse communities connect with state and local resources to support comprehensive, thoughtful strategies for environmentally, economically and socially responsible revitalization.

Dorchester County – Town of East New Market

Located about six miles northeast of Cambridge, the Town of East New Market was officially named in 1827 and incorporated in 1832. Rich in history beginning with pre-Columbian Native Americans, this small town of approximately 400 residents is a Nationally Registered Historic District and a stop on the Harriet Tubman Scenic Byway across the Eastern Shore. East New Market seeks to provide more services and infrastructure upgrades for its residents, including better pathways and bike facilities and increasing cultural and tourism programming in the town’s Friendship Park.

Carroll County – Finksburg

A small unincorporated community located near the border of Carroll and Baltimore counties, Finksburg is named for Adam Fink, an early 19th century tavern and toll road owner. Visitors can learn more about Fink and other local history at the Country Store Museum and the home of the Historical Society of Carroll County, while residents enjoy the modern Carroll County Public Library, the first green building in the county. Local stakeholders would like to continue the implementation of the Finksburg Corridor Plan, encouraging both redevelopment and new development and improving pedestrian access and safety in areas adjacent to Maryland Route 140, the community’s main artery. Finksburg also seeks to enhance the protection of its natural resources and increase community activities.

Kent County – Town of Galena

Near the Sassafras River, Galena features a small town feel for travelers and residents alike with charming businesses and outdoor recreation. With roots from America’s earliest years, Galena holds legends and stories to charm any history buff. Galena hopes to leverage its Sustainable Community designation to become more energy efficient by installing solar street lights and educating its residents in the user of solar energy. Although a small quiet town, Galena plans to grow smart and efficiently by changing zoning to allow for multifamily and affordable housing and by promoting infill development in its commercial area, as well as launching a façade improvement program to attract and retain businesses. The town also plans to create a community center offering a variety of programming and services and to increase transportation options for its aging residents.

Wicomico County – Town of Hebron

Founded in the late 19th century as a train depot outside of the City of Salisbury, the Town of Hebron is named after the Biblical city and was officially incorporated in 1931. With its proximity to the railroad, the community rapidly became a manufacturing and agricultural hub. Hebron’s Sustainable Community area is centered on the core of the town, including its historical Main Street, and revitalization efforts will begin with façade improvements on residential and commercial properties.

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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

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Hogan Administration Announces Additional $700,000 to Support Ellicott City Recovery Plan

April 17, 2019 by Sara Luell

Hogan Administration Announces Additional $700,000 to Support Ellicott City Recovery Plan

New Carrollton, Md. (April 17, 2019) – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced $700,000 in additional funding to continue supporting recovery efforts in Ellicott City. The funding will support Howard County’s recently announced second phase of the EC Safe and Sound plan. The plan seeks to ensure public safety, support business and property owners, maintain Ellicott City’s historic charm, and develop a more inclusive, community-driven process.  

“The resilience of the people who call Ellicott City home has been truly inspiring, and this project is near and dear to my heart,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Our administration is proud to  support this important next step, and will continue to work with our local partners to ensure this vibrant community continues to recover and thrive.”

In addition to the newly announced funding, the department provided disaster recovery assistance after floods in 2016 and 2018. The Maryland Business Recovery Loan Program provided 45 loans to small businesses totaling more than $4.5 million. Through the Maryland Disaster Housing Assistance Program, the department assisted 50 families with emergency rental assistance. Additionally, approximately $350,000 in loan and grant support was provided to homeowners for housing repairs. The department also previously awarded $500,000 from the Strategic Demolition Fund to rebuild a retaining wall near the top of Main Street.

“The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s resources played a crucial role in the state’s response to flooding in Ellicott City in both 2016 and 2018,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “This investment will support our continued partnership with Howard County and other local stakeholders to rebuild and restore Ellicott City’s historic Main Street.”

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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

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Weatherization Assistance Program Public Hearing Notice

April 11, 2019 by Sara Luell

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Housing and Building Energy Programs

Weatherization Assistance Program

Subject: Public Hearing

Date and Time: April 22, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

Place: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), 7800 Harkins Road, Rm. 207, Lanham, MD 20706

A public hearing will be held to solicit comments on DHCD’s submission for the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) State Plan for 2019. Written comments for 2019 State Plan recommendations must be submitted and received no later than 4:00 p.m., April 20, 2019 to Mrs. Kiahnna Burney, WAP Program Manager, Energy Programs, at the above address.

Contact: Kiahnna Burney, Kiahnna.Burney@maryland.gov

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