Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)

DHCD is focused on creating new affordable housing and lovable spaces in Maryland, so there are few events more important to us than the groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting celebrations of new projects. This month Secretary Jake Day and other department leaders were able to commemorate the start or completion of many different projects we’ve supported in the state, including the following: Secretary Day, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and others broke ground on Greens at Irvington Mews II and the start of renovations to Park Heights Place on Nov. 7, 2024. Irvington Mews II is a low- to moderate-income, new-construction apartment community that will create 59 units for independent seniors and older adults in the Irvington neighborhood of Southwest Baltimore. Deputy Secretary Julia Glanz celebrated the grand opening and completion of the Port Street Commons project in Easton on Nov. 7. Officials broke ground in the summer of 2023 and Port Street Commons has received $2.5 million from DHCD and other Maryland state funding. Assistant Secretary Carol Gilbert spoke at the ribbon cutting for Etting Street Park in the Druid Heights community of West Baltimore on Nov. 13. The Park recreates the area as a long-term, pedestrian-only, green space to provide outdoor recreation and relaxation for residents and encourage further economic investment in Druid Heights and neighboring West Baltimore communities. Assistant Secretary Gilbert also celebrated the ribbon cutting for 22 new homeowners in the 800 Block of Harlem Avenue, Baltimore in the Upton community. This is a whole block outcome initiative where the entire block of vacant houses has been completed with homeownership. Edward Barnett, DHCD Director of Rental Lending, was among local and state officials who broke ground for The Chimes at North Bethesda. The Chimes is Montgomery Housing Partnership’s new affordable housing development that will consist of 163 affordable multifamily dwelling units, with 72 apartments reserved for those making at or below 50% AMI. Robyne Chaconas, Deputy Director, CDA Programs, helped cut the ribbon at The Village at Slippery Hill Phase II and Slippery Hill Senior on Nov. 21. The two projects in Queenstown will create more affordable housing for families and seniors in Queen Anne’s County.

DHCD today announced the publication of a baseline report from its new Division of Just Communities. The report is the first formal publication of the new division, stating its mission and vision, detailing information on racial disparities in Maryland housing and neighborhood conditions, as well as the current and ongoing work of the Department to address inequities. To read the full press release and report, visit https://bit.ly/3Bbzf7j

DHCD Secretary Jake Day has spent the last few weeks traveling across the state to learn the needs of Maryland’s communities and sharing how the agency can help: Secretary Day speaks to Bennett Middle School students in Salisbury about a career in public service on Nov. 1, 2024. Janet Allen, president of the The Heritage Crossing Resident Association in Baltimore, walks with Secretary Day during a neighborhood tour on Nov. 4, 2024. Secretary Day addresses the crowd at the Council of Development Finance Agencies National Development Finance Summit in Baltimore on Nov. 14, 2024. DHCD staff, including Secretary Day, Assistant Secretary for Homeless Solutions Danielle Meister and CDA team members Dayna Mayo and Edward Simms pose for a photo with the leadership of Harford Family House after a tour in Belcamp on Nov. 19, 2024. Secretary Day speaks during HUD’s "Leveraging Transportation Resources for Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Production" in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 20, 2024.

Join us at the Cambridge Engagement Center for Energy Assistance Day on Saturday, December 7 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm! Enjoy hot chocolate, gingerbread cookies, and learn about the Energy Assistance Programs provided by DHCD. We will have staff ready to answer questions and take applications on site! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3Z4IEWt

This National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community reflects on our mission to provide shelter for all and our work to prevent and end homelessness. DHCD believes that shelter is a human right. Leaving no one behind applies to a roof over the head of every Marylander. We must identify measurable goals and supporting policies that seek to solve veteran, youth, and chronic homelessness. Pictured below, photos from a July 2024 event with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Sasha Bruce Youthwork and Prince George’s County to announce $2 million in funding to the State of Maryland through HUD’s Youth Homelessness Systems Improvement grant. To learn more about our work, visit the Division of Homeless Solutions webpage: https://lnkd.in/eRH6DzFc

DHCD Secretary Jake Day joined several experts from across the country in a panel discussion hosted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday. During a panel titled, "Leveraging Transportation Resources for Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Production," panelists spoke about how they leveraged different assets, along with federal, state and local partnerships to build more affordable housing near transit. Secretary Day shared several ways DHCD supports TOD projects including incentives through the Housing Expansion and Affordability Act and our partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation. 

Tomorrow, DHCD Secretary Jake Day will participate in a panel discussion hosted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, "Leveraging Transportation Resources for Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Production." The panelists will explore opportunities to leverage existing and future transportation resources at the federal, state, and local level to build more affordable housing near transit. To join the event virtually, register at https://lnkd.in/esfctvR7.

DHCD's Community Development Administration is hiring for a Lending and Risk Analyst! This is a great opportunity for qualified candidates to join our team during a period of significant growth in the industry for a long-term career that includes a competitive salary, State benefits, industry standard continuing education, and a hybrid work schedule. For more information and to apply: https://bit.ly/40ThV1i

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, DHCD Secretary Jake Day, Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Rebecca Flora and other state officials were in Allegany County on Thursday to celebrate Downtown Cumberland's grand reopening ribbon cutting ceremony. More than 18 months in the making, the newly renovated area improved infrastructure to the city’s downtown and now allows the pedestrian mall to be accessed by bike riders and cars. Cumberland was one of the first participants in DHCD’s Main Street Maryland program, which supports economic revitalization and sustainability in downtown districts across Maryland. The department has steadily helped fund the city’s downtown makeover, which Secretary Day now calls “a world-class space.” 

The Maryland State Job Fair is back! Join us November 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 5th Regiment Armory in Baltimore to learn more about employment opportunities with the State of Maryland. Register now at http://workformaryland.com. A photo ID is required to enter the armory.