Hogan announces renewal of affordable housing program for Marylanders with disabilities

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – On Friday, Governor Larry Hogan announced that the State of Maryland is renewing its successful partnership with The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to implement the Affordable Rental Housing Opportunities for People with Disabilities initiative.

We’re told this effort will finance the creation of affordable and integrated community living opportunities statewide for extremely low-income people with disabilities. This initiative supports Marylanders with service needs and prioritizes designated populations in greatest need of housing, including young adults with aging caregivers, young adults aging out of foster care, and those experiencing homelessness.

Officials say the Weinberg Foundation has committed a $3 million capital grant to the development of additional rental housing for people with disabilities who are recipients of either Social Security income or Social Security Disability income from the Social Security Administration. This builds on a $2 million grant issued back in 2011, as well as an additional $2 million grant issued in 2016, which led to the production of 33 units throughout the state so far.

The Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will choose owners of low-income housing tax credit projects for financing after consulting with the Maryland Department of Health and Maryland Departments of Disabilities on amenities such as accessibility features, transportation, and location. The Weinberg Foundation will then review the state’s selection and shift funds to DHCD to commit to the owner as part of the project’s financing package.

Rent for these units will be set at 10 to 30 percent of the area median income, which is a significantly more affordable rate that takes into account the financial circumstances faced by people with disabilities, many of whom reside at 20 percent of the AMI or below. It’s anticipated that this iteration of program funding will become available in apartments ready to lease by early 2021.