Grants Administration

Public Hearing Regarding Federal Funding Initiatives

The County will host a public hearing on Thursday, December 17, at 9:30 a.m. to obtain citizen views on two important federal funding initiatives. The hearing will be followed by a prebid meeting for federal grant opportunities. Attendees can join the meeting 15 minutes prior to the start time. Join the meeting via Webex. 

We highly recommend joining via a laptop or desktop computer with a microphone. If this is your first time using Webex, please allow extra time for setup. Phone in callers will not be able to make a comment during the meeting and will be required to submit comments in the manner described below.

The Public Hearing will first accept public comments on the County’s proposed Second Substantial Amendment (PDF) detailing how the County plans to use its second round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG-CV) Coronavirus Funding. These federal funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Funds included in the amendment were provided as part of the CARES Relief Act. As part of President Trump’s disaster declaration on March 26, the County was granted a waiver to its ordinary rules of public comment and reasonable notice. Under the waiver, the County is to provide a minimum of five days for the public to comment on its Substantial Amendment.

Beginning December 16, the County will accept public comment with the public comment period ending at 5 p.m. on December 21. In addition to providing public comments during the public hearing, citizens can also submit written comments on the Substantial Amendment via email to cpgutwald@baltimorecountymd.gov or through U.S. mail to:

Pete Gutwald, Director, Department of Planning
105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Suite 101
Towson Maryland 21204
Fax: 410-887-5862

The second portion of the Public Hearing will engage citizens in a discussion of the existing and emerging needs the County should consider when planning use of its FY22 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Partnership, and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds for the next fiscal year.

Pre-Bid Meeting for County Fiscal Year 2022 Grant Application

Following the close of the Public Hearing above, the County will conduct a pre-bid meeting for the following County Fiscal Year 2022 Request for Proposals:

• Capital Projects
• Public Services
• Homeless Services.

Capital Projects should be aimed at meeting the needs of persons with disabilities or public facilities for general community development needs of low to moderate-income persons. Homeless Services include projects that prevent homelessness or assist those currently homeless. Public Services are projects that address the needs of low-income citizens in the following areas:

• employment
• childcare
• health and welfare
• education
• substance abuse prevention

Funding for these grant applications will be derived in part from the County’s annual federal HUD award. State and local funds will also be awarded through this process. Funding recommendations will be in accordance with priorities identified in the County’s 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan. Funding is intended to stabilize, enhance, and preserve Baltimore County communities and primarily benefit low to moderate-income households. Grant applications must be received by 2 p.m. on February 2, 2021.

Consolidated Plan 2020-2024, Annual Action Plan, Substantial Amendments, Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER), and Citizen Participation Plan

In May 2020, Baltimore County posted its Citizen Participation Plan (PDF), its First Substantial Amendment (PDF), its Consolidated Plan 2020-2024, and its Annual Action Plan (PDF) detailing the County’s multiyear strategy to use federal HUD funds to create decent housing, expand economic opportunity, and ensure a suitable living environment for low to moderate-income persons and communities. Generally published in April or May each year, the Annual Action Plan highlights efforts taken in that fiscal year to meet the needs identified in the Consolidated Plan. Substantial Amendments are published to program new funding not already identified in the Consolidated Plan or when new activities are identified using funds previously programmed for another activity. The CAPER describes how the County used CDBG, HOME, and ESG funds awarded to the County by HUD for use in a particular fiscal year. Each report includes how these federal funds leverage other federal, state and county funds for the benefit of County citizens.

These documents are mandated by HUD and are reviewed and approved. Evaluations are made by HUD for compliance of activities with these plans. In keeping with the County’s Citizen Action Plan, the County invites citizens to read these reports and submit comments.

Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report, Federal Fiscal Year 2018 and County Fiscal Year 2019

Baltimore County's Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER), Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2018 and County Fiscal Year (CFY) 2019 (PDF) describes how the County used federal Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership Act, and Emergency Solutions Grant funds awarded to the County by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for use during CFY 2018. The report explains how these funds leveraged other federal, state and county funds for the benefit of Baltimore County citizens. These uses are to be consistent with the priorities identified within the County's Consolidated Plan, FFY 2016 to 2019 (PDF). The Consolidated plan was previously submitted in accordance with federal requirements for jurisdictions receiving funds from HUD for housing and community development programs.

Annual Action Plan for FFY 2019 and CFY 2020

Baltimore County's Annual Action Plan for FFY 2019 and CFY 2020 (PDF), was submitted to HUD on June 11, 2019, and proposes how the CFY 2020 allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership Act and Emergency Solutions Grant funds will be used to further the priorities identified within the County’s Consolidated Plan, FFY 2016 to 2019 (PDF). The Consolidated Plan was previously submitted in accordance with federal requirements for jurisdictions receiving funds from the HUD for housing and community development programs.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Department of Planning administers annual entitlement grants from HUD, which constitutes the majority of the agency's funding. The Department receives funding from the CDBG, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and from the Emergency Solutions Grant from HUD.

Funds currently received under this program are tied to the County's Consolidated Plan, FFY 2016 through 2019 (PDF). This plan outlines a multiyear strategy that proposes how the County will use these funds to create decent housing, expand economic opportunity, and ensure a suitable living environment for low- to moderate-income persons and communities.

The Annual Action Plan highlights the efforts that will be taken in each Fiscal Year to meet the goals of the Consolidated Plan. These updates are completed for each fiscal year and describe the progress of initiatives and projects outlined in the Plan. They also explain changes in policies and direction by the County based on the past year's experience and describe additional projects that were undertaken during that year. A part of these updates is a List of Proposed Activities to be Undertaken beginning July 1 of each fiscal year. These documents are mandated by HUD and are reviewed and approved each year. Evaluations by HUD are made each year for compliance of activities outlined in these plans.

In keeping with its federal guidelines, the County also invites citizens to read its CAPER each year. The CAPER describes how the County used CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership Act and Emergency Solutions Grant funds awarded to the County by HUD for use in a particular fiscal year. The report explains how these federal funds leveraged other federal, state and County funds for the benefit of County citizens.

State of Maryland

The Department of Planning also administers funding from the State of Maryland that supports those citizens at risk of living in a homeless shelter, citizens living in homeless shelters and citizens moving out of a shelter.

Baltimore County

The Department of Planning uses County General funds from the Baltimore County Operating budget to leverage all of the federal and state funding received.

Use of Funding

Most of the funding listed above is allocated to benefit low- and moderate-income households and individuals through various activities carried out by public agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Activities Include:

• Housing rehabilitation
• Lead hazard reduction
• Home ownership assistance
• Foreclosure prevention
• Drug and alcohol counseling
• Fair housing
• Supportive services to the homeless
• Rental assistance for people in shelter
• Programs that benefit the disabled
• Capital improvements to community-based facilities and public infrastructure

Staff Contact

Colleen Mahony
Phone: 410-887-3317
Email: cmahony@baltimorecountymd.gov