About Us

The Department of Housing and Community Development administers a range of Federal, State, and County-funded programs to create and preserve affordable housing units for low - and moderate-income residents in Howard County.  The Department provides access to affordable homeownership and rental units, provides loans for down payment and closing cost assistance, and offers homebuyer education classes to encourage homeownership in the county. The Department also receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) program funding from HUD to provide loans and grants for special needs housing programs, rental assistance, and community facilities. The Department also works with homeless or at risk for homelessness families.

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More From The Department

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RFP for Rental Assistance Program

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Announcement: RFP for Rental Assistance Program for Low Income Older Adults opened 9/30/24. A Pre-proposal conference is scheduled for October 15, 2024 at 11:00 am.

Click here to view the RFP.

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Foreclosure Prevention Program

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The Department received $1M in funding from the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund for FY2025. These funds will be used to stabilize qualified residents whose homes are facing foreclosure.

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HCD Advisory Board

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The Department of Housing & Community Development Board - Members and Meeting information

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I'm A Developer or Builder

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All new construction must designate a specified percentage of units as MIHU.  Developers, as you work with the Department of Planning & Zoning you should review this information.

Additionally, requests for APFO waivers begin here.

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I'm A Non-Profit

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The Department receives funding primarily from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administers those grants to non-profits who work directly with residents of Howard County.  The County receives Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds from HUD and most recently funds from the U.S. Treasury Department.

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Acquisitions and Rental Housing Sales

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Effective September 6, 2020, before you sell your multi-family rental property you must notify this Department and the Howard County Housing Commission.  Additionally if you are purchasing an existing multi-family property, you could be eligible for a PILOT.

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Housing Opportunities Trust Fund

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The Housing Opportunities Trust Fund will be an important tool to address the critical housing infrastructure needs facing Howard County.

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Housing Opportunities Master Plan & Task Force

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HOMP meetings and the Plan.

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Columbia Downtown Housing Corp

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Columbia Downtown Housing Corporation - Members, Meetings and New Cultural Center information

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Publications and Reports

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The Department's monthly reports and general documents can be found here.  For any documents prior to 2021, please send a request to housing@howardcountymd.gov

News

Find the latest news updates.

News

Senior Team

Headshot of Kelly Cimino
Kelly A. Cimino
Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development
Read Biography

About

Kelly was appointed Director of the Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development in August 2016.  Kelly began her employment with the Department in 2008.

Under Kelly’s leadership, the Department seeks to create and preserve affordable rental and homeownership units, create and maintain workforce housing units, and provide financial education opportunities to the community.  As a federal entitlement jurisdiction, the Department manages $2M in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) program funding to assist low-income families with their housing needs. The County’s affordable housing programs, including the Moderate-Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program, the Settlement Down payment Loan Program (SDLP) and the Reinvest, Renovate, Restore program (RRR), assist low- and moderate-income families that want to rent, buy or renovate a home in the County. During the COVID pandemic (2019- 2022), the Department directed $32M in federal and state grant funds to housing partners to keep residents safely housed. Since 2020, the Department has funded more than 500 down payment loans to help first-time homebuyers purchase a home and created 200 new MIHU homeownership units.

Kelly currently serves as the Chair of the County’s Coalition to End Homelessness Board and as Vice Chair of the Local Children’s Board. She is a graduate of the 2019 Howard County Leadership Premier class and resides in Woodbine, Maryland.

Brittani Perdue, Chief Housing Opportunities Programs
Brittani Perdue
Chief, Homeownership Opportunities Programs
Kim Zanit, Chief Community Planning & Grants
Kimberley Zanti
Chief, Community Planning & Grants
Kanise Lewis
Kanise Lewis
Administrative Assistant

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