Howard County is injecting a touch of federal might into its affordable housing crisis. According to Howard County's official news release, Calvin Ball, the County Executive, announced that a cool $5.8 million of federal funds has been locked in for two ambitious affordable housing projects in Columbia.
Ball highlighted the receipt from HUD's Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program, which is focused on making Ranleagh Court and Waverly Winds ripe for redevelopment. These funds aim to preserve and expand affordable housing, addressing the pressing need for homes within financial reach for those who need them most.
HUD has been bolstering Howard County since 1996, turning over funds to tend to the area's low-to-moderate-income residents. This includes combating homelessness, underpinning aging infrastructure, and early tackling economic strain head-on. This year alone, Howard County bagged $1,823,419 via HUD's benevolent funding arms—the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships Program.
Kelly Cimino, Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, mentioned that HUD is cheering for jurisdictions to utilize Section 108 to alleviate the crunch on affordable rentals. Cimino added, "Based on the proposed timelines, both projects could be complete and ready to open to new and returning residents in 2026," as the county's announcement detailed.
What's unique here is that the Section 108 loans offer a quintuple down on the County's annual CDBG allocation. This means more bang for their borrowed buck, enabling Howard County to swing big on housing projects while keeping interest rates low.
Enterprise Community Development, a name worth noting, is the muscle behind Ranleagh Court and Waverly Winds' impending renovation. These projects are not just a facelift. They're doubling down on apartment availability, catering to a diverse range of income levels in high-demand areas. "These two Enterprise projects in Columbia will double the number of apartment homes we are able to offer to a range of people at different income levels in this sought-after, high-cost, and resource-rich region,” Janine Lind, president of Enterprise Community Development, reasoned in the county's press release.
Completing these projects ties neatly with Howard County's 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, which proudly supports low—and moderate-income communities.
