Community Planning & Grants

PUBLIC NOTICE/NOTICE OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARINGS

The Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) invites all interested citizens, community groups, agencies and non-profit organizations to participate in one of our Virtual Public Needs Hearings regarding the County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) programs and the development of the FFY2022 Annual Action Plan.

The Annual Action Plan, which supports the Approved FFY2020 – FFY2024 Consolidated Plan, is the County’s yearly application that is submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funding under the CDBG program and the HOME program.  It is anticipated that Howard County will receive approximately $1,383,213.00 in CDBG funds and $485,257.00 in HOME funds for the FFY2021 Program Year. 

The CDBG and HOME programs provide funds that enable Howard County and local organizations to carry out a variety of housing and community development activities intended to principally benefit low- and moderate-income residents. Activities may include, but are not limited to, housing rehabilitation, homeownership assistance, economic development, public facility acquisition or rehabilitation and public service opportunities.  Organizations that intend to apply for funding are encouraged to participate in one of these Public Needs Hearings which will explain any changes to the FFY22 Applications for both CDBG and HOME funding. 

Below is a list of meeting dates and times that each WebEx will be held.

1. Thursday, December 02, 2021 – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
2. Thursday, December 09, 2021 – 10:00 AM – 12 Noon
3. Wednesday, December 15, 2021 – 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Once you’ve decided which date and time works for you, please email Nkechi Animashaun at [email protected],  to receive the WebEx link and code for the corresponding meeting.  

If you cannot attend the Public Hearing or would like additional information regarding the development of the FFY2022 Annual Action Plan, please contact Elizabeth Meadows, Chief, Community Development and Grants, at 410-313-6324, or email [email protected] or visit the Howard County Department of Housing office, 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 224, Columbia, MD 21046. 

Efforts will be made to accommodate the disabled and non-English speaking residents and a sign language interpreter services will be available upon request with five (5) days advance notice to Quanita Kareem, Compliance Officer, Howard County Housing Department, at 410-313-3386, or email [email protected].         

The FFY2020 CAPER is a report mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for all communities that receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funding. The CAPER reports the outcomes and accomplishments set forth in the County’s FFY20 Annual Action Plan.

June 29, 2021 – As the national CDC moratorium on evictions is set to expire this month, and Maryland’s this August, one in five Marylanders are currently behind on rent. In response to this unprecedented crisis, United Way of Central Maryland will expand the Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention (STEP) Program to serve residents in Baltimore City as well as Baltimore, Harford, and Howard Counties. Developed through a partnership between United Way of Central Maryland and Baltimore County in late 2020 and early 2021, the first-of-its-kind effort in Maryland has already provided more than $4 million to support residents on the brink of homelessness.  Click here for the full announcement.

To complete the CDBG and HOME program year, the County reports annually on the progress it has made toward its Consolidate Plan goal in the Consolidate Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). The CAPER describes Howard County’s affordable housing and community development activities carried out over the past program year running from July 1st through June 30th each year. The CAPER also provides the community a concise breakdown of the federal funds used for activities that were undertaken during the program year and an evaluation of the County’s progress in carrying out the goals and objectives as stated in the Five Year Consolidated Plan.

• The Approved FFY2019 CAPER

In accordance with federal requirements for jurisdictions receiving funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing and community development programs, Howard County has prepared its FFY2021 Annual Action Plan in accordance with its five-year Consolidated Plan for FFY2020-2024.  This Action Plan outlines how the County will use federal resources to address the current housing and community development needs of our low to moderate income population, while remaining aligned with the goals outlined in our Consolidated Plan.

• The Draft FFY2021 Annual Action Plan

The County was awarded additional federal funding to help combat the economic effects of the pandemic. These funds are available for help rent, utilities and mortgage assistance here.  For additional assistance, contact the grants team at (410) 313-6318 Option 4.