Howard County Executive Ball Seeks Proposals for Transformative Homeownership and Neighborhood Initiatives

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) today announced proposals for the second round of funding from the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund are now being accepted. Through this Notice of Funding Availability, DHCD is seeking innovative proposals from community partners for homeownership and neighborhood initiatives, as well as rehabilitation and multifamily rental housing projects, that are bold and impactful to help address the County’s affordable housing needs and gaps.

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) today announced proposals for the second round of funding from the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund (HOTF) are now being accepted. Through this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), DHCD is seeking innovative proposals from community partners for homeownership and neighborhood initiatives, as well as rehabilitation and multifamily rental housing projects, that are bold and impactful to help address the County’s affordable housing needs and gaps.

The first financial tool to help implement the actions identified in the Housing Opportunities Master Plan, Ball allocated $10 million in his Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget for the HOTF, doubling the amount previously allotted in his FY23 budget.

Earlier this year, we presented the first round of HOTF awards for transformational homeownership and rental initiatives, with the largest award of $1.6 million being presented to Patuxent Commons to create brand new, energy efficient rental housing units that will be affordable and accessible for families, older adults and persons with disabilities in our community. This second round of applications further emphasizes our commitment to provide resources for residents of all income levels to be able to live, work, play and thrive in Howard County. I encourage those who have fresh, new ideas to help address housing affordability in our community to bring those ideas forward with this application.

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive

For the first application round in March 2023, DHCD received applications that far exceeded the $5 million in available funding. With $10 million available in this second round, we encourage applications that will address housing needs and gaps in new, innovative ways.

Kelly Cimino

Director, Department of Housing and Community Development

The application and requirements can be found on DHCD’s website. Completed applications are due by 4:00 p.m., January 12, 2024.

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend one of DHCD’s three virtual pre-proposal sessions, scheduled for Wednesday, December 6th at 2:00 p.m., Thursday December 14th at noon and Thursday, December 21st at noon. During the sessions, attendees will have the ability to learn more and ask questions about the HOTF and NOFA requirements. If interested in participating, please email Kanise Lewis at klewis@howardcountymd.gov at least 24 hours in advance to receive a meeting link.

Following the HOTF NOFA submission deadline, the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund Advisory Committee will review all applications and make recommendations to the Housing and Community Development Board for consideration. Selected projects will then be presented to the County Executive and the County Council for consideration and approval. Applicants should be notified of awards by April 30, 2024.

For more information on the HOTF NOFA, visit DHCD’s website.

Howard County Executive Ball Seeks Proposals for Transformative Homeownership and Neighborhood Initiatives

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