Maryland's Housing and Community Dept. Allocates $5M+ in Block Grant Awards

NEW CARROLLTON, MD (September 12, 2023) — The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is embarking on a substantial endeavor to foster community growth and uplift vulnerable segments of the population. Today, Secretary Jake Day unveiled a notable investment exceeding $5 million, sourced from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, set to be utilized in the fiscal year 2024. This generous fund will facilitate vital projects spanning eight counties, emboldening efforts to enhance infrastructure, foster more inclusive community facilities, and underpin programs aimed at assisting homeless individuals, people living with disabilities, and those from low- to moderate-income backgrounds.

Secretary Jake Day voiced the state’s commitment to meeting the distinctive necessities of various communities, emphasizing that “Maryland’s local leaders have their finger on the pulse of their residents and communities, each with its unique needs.” The collaborative efforts between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Maryland DHCD aim to proliferate projects vital in nurturing the well-being of cities, counties, and towns across Maryland, with a keen focus on versatility and essentiality.

The CDBG initiative, grounded in the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, has had a long-standing history of backing community redevelopment strategies, facilitating affordable housing solutions, and promoting the growth of economic opportunities. This bifurcated program delineates roles for both HUD — which directly oversees the larger metropolitan territories — and the States and Small Cities Program, which dedicates resources to more rural demographies, therefore creating a network of support that reaches even the most remote corners of the state.

Highlighting the efforts that this substantial fund aims to bolster, Secretary Day outlined some of the essential projects that have been greenlighted for fiscal year 2024, including but not limited to:

• Transforming a 6,000-square-foot edifice in Prince Frederick, Calvert County, into a haven offering day programs and mental health services to individuals grappling with homelessness and financial instability.
• Embarking on a journey to a more accessible Brunswick, situated in Frederick County, with plans encompassing the construction and replacement of sidewalks, the installment of ramps, and an array of other improvements championing accessibility.
• Initiating a housing rehabilitation initiative on a countywide scale in Wicomico County, designed to open doors for low and moderate-income homeowners to experience enhanced living conditions.

To discover the full scope of projects that are set to reshape Maryland’s landscape and inject vitality into communities, interested parties can find a comprehensive list of awards detailed at DHCD’s Official Website.