The State of Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) implements housing policies within the state via the Maryland Mortgage Program, rental housing programs as well as community development and revitalization programs.
The Maryland Mortgage Program has enabled thousands of Maryland families to realize the American dream of homeownership and for existing homeowners to keep their homes.
Through its rental housing programs the DHCD has increased and preserved the supply of affordable housing for working families, senior citizens, and special needs individuals in Maryland.
The DHCD also provides rental assistance in the form of three programs:
- The Community Legacy Program designed to assist urban neighborhoods, suburban areas and small towns plagued by decline and disinvestment with public and private investment
- Rental Allowance Program (RAP) assists low income families who are homeless or have a short term emergency housing need in the form of monthly rent assistance in fixed amounts.
- Section 8 Certificate/Voucher Program is a federal program through HUD which caps the amount qualified applicants pay for monthly rent (no more than 30% of monthly income) and subsidizes any balance.
Further, the DHCD’s revitalization and community development programs like Neighborhood Business Works, Community Legacy, and Main Street Maryland encourage sustainable growth and preserve city and town community vibrancy.
While not a direct assistance program the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT) is dedicating to making affordable housing more widely available throughout the state. Created by the Maryland General Assembly in 1992 the MAHT funds the capital costs of rental and ownership housing, provides financial assistance for non-profit developer building; funds support services for occupants of affordable housing and provides financial assistance for the operating expenses of affordable housing developments. The MAHT is funded by a portion of interest generated by title company escrow accounts.
Maryland boasts several innovative private charitable programs in low income housing.
The Partnership for Housing Foundation is a nonprofit organization begun in 2001 by the Maryland Association of Realtors as a means by which real estate professionals might be able to have a more direct role in the development of affordable housing throughout the state. The stated goal of the Partnership for Housing Foundation is to creative opportunities in affordable housing for immigrants, minorities as well as low and moderate income Maryland residents. Towards this end the Foundation works with state and local governments as well as other profit and nonprofit housing organizations to promote the creation of affordable housing and educating its target population on homeownership requirements and obligations.
Habitat for Humanity is a faith based organization dedicated to reducing substandard housing by joining potential homeowners with volunteers to build good quality, affordable units. Based on the idea of low income loans and sweat equity, Maryland boasts several chapters including the Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County.
The Catholic Charities of Baltimore not only develops but manages affordable housing opportunities, primarily for seniors, but also for others in need. While faith based, the guiding principle of the Catholic Charities of Baltimore is that all people, regardless of religion, race or finances are entitled to a safe and affordable home.
These are but a few of the income based housing programs and charities available in the state of Maryland, and this is by no means a comprehensive list. An excellent resource for finding available programs and support in your local area is:
Charity Navigator: