{"id":13312,"date":"2026-01-15T15:28:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T20:28:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/?p=13312"},"modified":"2026-01-15T15:28:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T20:28:27","slug":"draft-2026-plan-for-affordable-housing-development-in-maryland-set-to-guide-more-than-300-million-worth-of-critically-needed-housing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/2026\/01\/15\/draft-2026-plan-for-affordable-housing-development-in-maryland-set-to-guide-more-than-300-million-worth-of-critically-needed-housing\/","title":{"rendered":"Draft 2026 Plan for Affordable Housing Development in Maryland Set To Guide More Than $300 Million Worth of Critically Needed Housing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development emphasize project readiness and community amenities through Housing Starts Now and Lovable Places incentives<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

NEW CARROLLTON, MD<\/b> (January 15, 2026) \u2013 The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today released a draft plan<\/a> for allocating funding and federal tax credits to develop affordable housing projects in 2026. As drafted, the Qualified Allocation Plan would guide more than $300 million worth of investments in housing development through two application periods in 2026 by incentivizing project readiness and community amenities, increasing the federal tax credit amount per project, expanding the loan products offered, and placing greater emphasis on mixed-income housing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMarylanders are facing high housing costs, and the Moore-Miller Administration is using every available tool to address the nearly 100,000 unit housing shortage driving rent and home prices higher,\u201d said Jake Day, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. \u201cThe draft Qualified Allocation Plan demonstrates the Administration\u2019s commitment to build more homes faster, so relief reaches Maryland families sooner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Department\u2019s Community Development Administration has added a Housing Starts Now incentive that would provide more points on applications for developments that are ready to break ground \u2013 having already secured all necessary government approvals. Additionally, new Lovable Places criteria expands on existing incentives for project amenities to award more points to projects incorporating childcare facilities, libraries, or retail space for fresh food.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe draft 2026 Qualified Allocation Plan represents the Department\u2019s most expansive update in its history, offering additional tools for our partners to better serve Marylanders,\u201d said Greg Hare, Assistant Secretary of the Department\u2019s Community Development Administration. \u201cThese changes ensure housing projects that are selected are ready to break ground, maximize a site\u2019s development potential, and offer residents amenities that support residents\u2019 everyday needs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Department will also increase the competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credit award limit amount per project to $2 million \u2013 with $30,000 provided per unit up to $1.5 million, or $25,000 per unit up to $2 million. Additionally, through an expansion of loan products, the Department can offer financing with lower interest rates, greater flexibility in operating expense limits, and cash flow splits to meet the needs of a broader range of transactions and organizational demands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Public comment on the draft begins today and will end on Monday, February 16, 2026. Public comments can be sent to <\/span>dhcd.qap@maryland.gov<\/span><\/a>. Listening sessions on the draft Qualified Allocation Plan will be held on:<\/span>
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