$4M Allocated For Affordable Housing Projects In Howard Co.

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Seven affordable housing projects and assistance programs in Howard County will receive a combined $4 million in funding to create new housing, preserve existing apartments and help families struggling to pay rent.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball recently announced the awards through the county's Housing Opportunities Trust Fund, which will support approximately 350 affordable homes and provide rental assistance and eviction prevention services to another 200 households.

The funding will support developments in Savage, Columbia and North Laurel, along with programs serving older adults, low-income families and people with disabilities.

"Since taking office, we have made historic investments to grow the availability of modern, accessible, and attainable housing options in Howard County," Ball said. "These investments have supported the creation of hundreds of affordable homes, protected hundreds of families from eviction, and improved the quality of existing housing communities across Howard County."

One of the largest projects receiving funding is the Midway 32 Transit-Oriented Development, which would transform an underused office campus next to the Savage MARC train station into a mixed-income residential community.

The project calls for approximately 600 apartments, including nearly 100 affordable units for households earning 20%, 40% and 60% of the area median income.

County officials said the development would include the largest concentration of housing units designated for people with disabilities in Howard County.

Another project would redevelop approximately 9.8 acres at 9792 and 9796 Washington Blvd. near Whiskey Bottom Road in North Laurel.

The Howard County Housing Commission proposes building 54 condominium units, a 132-unit apartment building and retail space.

Approximately one-third of the condominium units would be designated as moderately priced housing. The apartment building would serve households earning an average of approximately 60% of the area median income through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

In Columbia, Enterprise Community Development plans to replace the existing buildings at Fall River Terrace with a new 76-unit apartment community.

The redevelopment would preserve housing for 56 low- and moderate-income households earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income while adding 20 market-rate apartments.

The remaining funding will support housing preservation and rental assistance programs throughout the county.

Bridges to Housing Stability will receive funding for two initiatives, including a financial assistance program for tenants experiencing emergencies that could jeopardize their housing.

The money can be used for one-time expenses such as overdue rent, utility bills, transportation costs and medical expenses for households earning less than 50% of the area median income.

The nonprofit also plans to repair and renovate as many as 45 affordable homes between fiscal years 2028 and 2030.

The Community Action Council of Howard County will receive funding to expand its Family Stability Program, which helps families with children maintain stable housing through financial assistance and coaching.

The funding will provide ongoing rental assistance for qualifying residents, including older adults, people with disabilities and low-income households. It also will help prevent eviction and housing instability for approximately 120 renters.

The Arc of Howard County will receive funding to help cover rental costs for 21 of the 23 homes it leases throughout the county for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The homes serve residents earning less than 30% of the county's area median income.

Howard County established its first Housing Opportunities Trust Fund in 2022 following recommendations in the county's Housing Opportunities Master Plan.

Since then, Ball has allocated $16 million to the fund, including $5 million in fiscal year 2023, $10 million in fiscal year 2025 and $1 million in fiscal year 2027.

The county received 13 applications requesting nearly $23 million in funding during the latest application period, significantly more than the $4 million available.

"The housing needs in our community are clearly articulated in the applications that DHCD received," said Kelly Cimino, director of the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development. "Once again, the requests for funding far exceeded the available resources, underscoring the continued need for dedicated investment in Howard County's Housing Opportunities Trust Fund."