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Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) works to coordinate fair housing and community development projects funded through various local, state and federal programs. These programs include the federal Community Development Block Grant Program, the federal Home Investment Partnership Act Program, and other state and County bond funds.

Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing Application

Baltimore County invites comments on its Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) Application. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued this competitive grant for the identification and removal of barriers to affordable housing production and preservation. The County is applying for a $10 million grant to assist with the removal of these barriers. Written comments can be sent by email to dhcd@baltimorecountymd.gov or submitted by U.S. Mail to Terry Hickey, Director, Baltimore County Housing and Community Development, 105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Suite 201, Towson, Maryland 21204.

Community Development Block Grant

Each year the County is the recipient of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As part of the required planning process for CDBG recipients, the County must identify the steps it is taking to address fair housing and housing discrimination in its Annual Action Plan and certify that it is affirmatively furthering fair housing. This means it will conduct an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice within the jurisdiction, take appropriate actions to overcome the effects of any impediments identified through that analysis, and maintain records reflecting that analysis and actions.

In accordance with the regulations of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and in furtherance of the County’s commitment to non­discrimination and equal opportunity in housing, DHCD has developed a standard for the development of affordable housing in its Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan (PDF).

Additional functions include:

  • Periodic revision and update of the Development Guide (PDF) as regulations and guidelines change
  • Coordination of fair housing outreach (PDF) and education activities
  • Performance monitoring for fair housing service providers
  • Fair Housing technical assistance to sub-recipient housing counseling agencies
  • Development and implementation of the Language Access Plan

Fair Housing Services Sub-Recipients

The Baltimore Metropolitan Council-Opportunity Collaborative works with the County to help Affirmatively Further Fair Housing. Educational booklets are available for both renters and homebuyers that describe your rights as a County resident and other jurisdictions in the Baltimore area. The booklets are also available in Spanish and Korean, and describe where you can go to have your questions answered or file a complaint. Rental property owners and managers and real estate agents will likely also find them useful resources. Printed booklets can be requested by contacting Dan Pontious at dpontious@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500.

Greater Baltimore Community Housing Resource Board provides Fair Housing education, training and advocacy as well as brochures, self-help guides, reports, newsletters and research. For more information, call 410-929-7640.

Voluntary Conciliation Agreement

In 2011, complaints were filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) against the County and two named appointed administration officials, alleging that the policies and practices of the Housing Office and County housing policies in general violated provisions of federal law. After negotiations, an agreement was reached and executed in 2016. Learn more about the Voluntary HUD Conciliation Agreement.  

Report Housing Discrimination

Report housing discrimination to the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission.

Explore Fair Housing

 

Contact Us

Fair Housing

6401 York Road, First Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21212

Hours

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phone

Fair Housing Specialist

David Skinner