Mid-Atlantic Region State Housing Budget Updates
Budget measures on housing affordability are moving through legislative sessions in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Maryland legislators are debating the fate of five specific funding programs, which Gov. Larry Hogan has proposed to fund at $49.5 million. This includes zero dollars in funding for a pool of housing and community development dollars created last year (at $7 million) to assist Montgomery & Prince George’s Counties. Advocates are requesting $71 million total for these programs, led by the Community Legacy program, which last year received $37 million in applications for just $6 million in funding. Other requests include reinstatement of $7 million to address blight, $15 million for the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative, and $34 million for the Strategic Demolition and Project CORE programs.
The Virginia General Assembly is considering substantial new funding for its statewide Housing Trust Fund and Permanent Supportive Housing programs. Gov. Ralph Northam proposed increasing overall housing funds by $92 million, including a $30 million trust fund appropriation beginning July 1, 2020. He also included funding to support housing for those with special needs, including $8 million for permanent supportive housing. House and Senate budget conferees will now meet to reconcile the entire budget, including housing programs.
In the District of Columbia, Mayor Muriel Bowser will release her proposed budget later this month. High profile housing affordability programs received $172.7 million in the Fiscal Year 20 budget process last year. Major funding pools include the Housing Production Trust Fund ($116 million in FY20), Local Rent Supplement Program, the Homeward DC initiative to end homelessness ($47 million), Preservation ($11.5 million) and Workforce housing supports, and capital improvement dollars to repair public housing sites ($24.5 million).
For more information on Mid-Atlantic housing policy issues, contact Melissa Bondi.
