July 11, 2019

Van Hollen, Cardin Announce More Than $6.6 Million for Affordable Housing and Community Development Throughout Maryland

New FY2019 awards include investments from Community Development Block Grants, Emergency Solutions Grants, and HOME Program

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced more than $6.6 million in grant awards to Maryland cities and counties to support affordable housing and community development. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) has allocated more than $5.3 million through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, $160 thousand through the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program, $1.3 million through the Home Program to jurisdictions across Maryland.

“Access to affordable housing is essential for families working to make ends meet. This investment will help thousands of Marylanders and boost economic development in communities across our state,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations and Budget Committees. “As we continue working to increase affordable housing options, I will keep fighting in Congress to support these crucial programs and create economic opportunity for all Marylanders.”

“Every Marylander – every American – deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I applaud this continued federal investment in these well-established grant programs which we know are playing a critical role for Maryland families in need,” said Senator Cardin.

This funding is the latest federal investment in affordable housing in Maryland. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen announced CPD’s awards in April of this year to Western Maryland, Salisbury, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel County.

The CDBG program provides annual grants to states and local units of government to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. New funding through this program includes:

  • $284,361 for Annapolis
  • $2,017,439 for Anne Arundel County
  • $789,841 for Cumberland
  • $430,109 for Frederick
  • $771,221 for Hagerstown
  • $1,058,617 for Harford County

The ESG program provides annual grants to state, local, and private entities to assist people in quickly regaining stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness.  In addition to rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention, the ESG program also provides limited funding for street outreach as well as for improving the quality and number of emergency homeless shelters. New funding through this program includes $166,664 for Anne Arundel County.

The HOME program helps to expand the supply of decent, affordable housing to low- and very low-income families by providing grants to states and local governments to fund housing programs that meet local needs and priorities. New funding through this program includes $707,906 for Anne Arundel County and $438,800 for Harford County.

 

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