Pursuant to Howard County Code Section 13.1600, DHCD is authorized to administer the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund in accordance with guidelines established by House Bill 878-2022.
The fund will be administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development to promote and support equitable, geographically disbursed and affordable rental and for-sale housing opportunities throughout the County and assist in alleviating the difficulties of many low- and moderate-income households, including seniors and persons with disabilities, to obtain and maintain housing that meets their needs at costs that they can afford; and to meet these needs by providing funding for rental housing development, preservation and rehabilitation, rental assistance, homeownership, home improvements and other affordable housing opportunities.
The Housing Opportunities Trust Fund can be used to provide loans, grants, or guarantees to
- Construct new affordable housing units;
- Acquire land upon which affordable housing may be constructed;
- Buy and rehabilitate existing rental units that might otherwise be removed from the supply of affordable housing;
- Increase the accessibility of new and existing housing, both rental and homeownership;
- Support home modifications or improvements to help residents age in place;
- Assist with the purchase of for-sale housing; and
- Provide rent subsidies to low-income households.
The Housing Opportunities Trust Fund Advisory Committee will be comprised of seven members. Committee membership should reflect the racial, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic and cultural diversity of Howard County. Members will serve initial term of eighteen months. Subsequent terms will be determined.
Committee Members:
- Robbyn Harris, Chair
- Timothy Goetzinger, Co-Chair
- Ada Bohorfoush
- Kimberley Amprey Flowers
- Margaret Gold
- Richard Pardoe
- Jim Sanders
April 13, 2023 @ 4 pm - Kick-off and Introduction Meeting - Agenda
May 2, 2023 @ 4 pm - Agenda - Virtual - Please email [email protected] to attend.
March 6, 2023
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Kelly Cimino, Director, Housing and Community Development, 410-313-6318
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Seeks Proposals for Housing Opportunities Trust Fund
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) are seeking proposals from community partners for homeownership and neighborhood initiatives, as well as rehabilitation and multifamily rental housing projects, that are eligible for funding from the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund (HOTF) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).
The HOTF is the first financial tool to help implement the actions identified in the Housing Opportunities Master Plan and received an initial allocation of $5 million in the County Executive’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget. DHCD is seeking proposals for initiatives that are bold and impactful to help address the County’s affordable housing needs and gaps.
“As we prepare for the upcoming budget sessions, the applications received for this funding round can help guide our planning for future allocations to the housing trust fund,” said Ball.
“This funding provides an opportunity to support initiatives that can make a difference in our community,” said Kelly Cimino, DHCD Director. “We encourage those serving and working in the community to submit applications that will address housing needs and gaps in innovative ways.”
The application deadline has passed.
The County is currently reviewing applications from potential members for the HOTF Committee. Selected members will be contacted in March. Following the HOTF NOFA submission deadline of April 14th, the HOTF Advisory Committee will review applications and make recommendations to the DHCD Board for consideration. The DHCD Board will review the committee’s recommendations and provide pre-approval decisions to the DHCD Director. Applicants will be notified of final decisions after the next DHCD Board meeting in June, 2023.