City of Crisfield to strengthen its affordable housing selection

CRISFIELD, Md. – Crisfield is set to see some changes to its housing selection.

The funding will create more opportunities for housing for all income levels. “This will be a targeted effort to provide affordable housing in Crisfield,” said Jean Merrit with the City of Crisfield. 

Crisfield is receiving funding to support its low-income housing initiative. This comes at a time when Crisfield City officials say there is low inventory on housing across the city. “Crisfield, like most other places in the country right now has a shortage of affordable housing especially housing available for rent,” Merrit said. 

Jenn Merrit says the city has been awarded $117,000 to get the ball rolling. “We’re really grateful to receive that funding and it is to demolish six derelict homes in Crisfield on properties that the city received from Somerset county,” said Merrit. 

The city also received $40,000 for a Housing and Community Resource Coordinator, the person set to look after the housing projects. “Oversee the low-income housing initiative which will not only demolish those homes on derelict properties but will work with the Eastern Shore Long-term Recovery Committee or other nonprofits or local contractors to develop affordable housing on those parcels,” said Merrit.

This person will also be a direct resource to the community. “In addition work closely with the community to help people qualify for home loans to walk through that process,” said Merrit. 

All the changes coming down the pipeline are thanks to state funding. “The low-income housing initiative is a grant that the City Of Crisfield submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development Committee Legacy Program,” said Merrit. 

The city has filled the Housing and Community Resource Coordinator position and has received notice of the housing project and now they await grant funding.