ABOUT US

Welcome to Howard County Housing

Affordable housing in Howard County is addressed by two entities - the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Howard County Housing Commission. Howard County Housing consists of both the Howard County Housing Commission and the County’s Department of Housing & Community Development. Howard County Housing’s mission is to provide safe, quality, affordable, and sustainable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families who live or work in Howard County and to assist them in moving toward economic independence. Howard County Housing will pursue this mission through open, efficient, innovative, and accountable processes.

The Howard County Housing Commission, an independent State chartered Public Housing Authority, began in 1990. Its Board of Commissioners consists of 7 members and are appointed by the County Executive and approved by the County Council. The Housing Commission develops and manages housing resources for low and moderate income residents of Howard County. The Commission also owns and manages residential property, maintains these properties, develops affordable housing opportunities for the citizens of Howard County through partnerships with developers or land acquisition for development and operates the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Howard County’s Department of Housing & Community Development began in 19xx as the Office of Housing and operated out of the County Executive’s office. The Department of Housing and Community Development works to provide affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income residents of Howard County. The Department administers a range of Federal, State, and County funded programs providing opportunities for affordable home ownership, loans and grants for special needs housing programs, rental assistance, community facilities, and programs. The Department provides loans for settlement and downpayment assistance, assists in home ownership preparedness, operates the Community Development Block Grant, Community Legacy, and the HOME program.