Biden-Harris Administration Awards State of Maryland $6.94 Million to Increase Housing Supply, Lower Housing Costs
NEW CARROLLTON, Md. (January 20, 2025) – The Biden-Harris Administration announced last week that the State of Maryland was awarded a $6.94 million grant to cut red tape, build more homes and lower the costs of renting and buying a home. Through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program, the State will directly subgrant funds to local jurisdictions to expedite permitting timeframes and remove barriers to housing development, create model ordinances and provide guidance on housing best practices, as well as establish an annual statewide housing convening to share what’s working to further affordable housing across the State’s communities.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) applied for the grant and was one of 18 winners of the competitive application process, across 15 states, to remove barriers to local housing production. In total, the Biden-Harris Administration announced $100 million across all applicants.
“We need to build more homes to meet the needs of our growing communities – and we need to deploy every strategy available. The Biden-Harris Administration has been laser-focused on providing resources to local leaders to boost the supply of affordable housing,” said HUD Agency Head, The Honorable Adrianne Todman.
DHCD will use $6.94 million in PRO Housing funds to analyze barriers to housing, develop tools to support local governments, and provide funding to communities to update permitting and expand transit-oriented development.
“Maryland needs nearly 150,000 housing units to meet growing demand to not only address the shortfall, but advance the state’s economy without the constraints caused by insufficient housing supply,” said DHCD Secretary Jake Day. “This funding from the Biden-Harris Administration allows us to take critical steps to close the gap, remove barriers to development and lay the foundation for accelerated growth.”
Read DHCD’s full PRO Housing grant proposal submission online, and visit HUD’s website to learn more about PRO Housing.
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