Hogan Administration Announces Programs Available for Ellicott City Recovery

For immediate release:
August 2, 2016
Contact:
Hannah Marr [email protected]
Shareese Churchill [email protected]
410-974-2316

Hogan Administration Announces Programs Available for Ellicott City Recovery
Maryland Department of Housing Offers Revitalization Programs

ANNAPOLIS, MD – As part of Maryland’s comprehensive response to recent flooding in Howard County, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is offering a number of programs that will help impacted households and business owners, including increased funding or additional flexibility for previously submitted applications to assist the city. This action from the department follows a directive from Governor Larry Hogan earlier this week ordering all state agencies to assist Ellicott City residents and businesses in their recovery efforts from the historic flooding this past weekend. 

“The flood waters have receded, but the real work has just begun, and we will continue to work with Howard County and Ellicott City officials to provide the resources necessary for an effective recovery and rebuilding,” said Governor Hogan. “Helping residents and businesses get back on their feet and ensuring that Ellicott City’s historic main street comes back even stronger will remain a top priority of our administration.”

Ellicott City has requested funding for façade improvement through the Community Legacy Program, and the Department of Housing and Community Development will work with the city in order to increase funding based on damage assessments. Additionally, the department will extend Ellicott City’s application deadline for the Strategic Demolition Fund to enable assistance if needed for this program.

“Our department has a long and successful history of partnership with Ellicott City, particularly through our neighborhood revitalization programs,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “We will continue to strengthen this partnership as we work together to support business owners and residents during their recovery efforts in the wake of this tragic disaster.”

Specific information on Community Legacy, the Strategic Demolition Fund, and other Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development programs include:

Disaster Relief Housing Program

This program provides financial assistance in a declared emergency area to a family whose primary residence was damaged or destroyed by the disaster. The program will allow 20-year loans at a 0% deferred interest rate to affected and eligible homeowners. The disaster relief financing is based upon the total cost to rebuild or rehabilitate the home, less any Federal Emergency Management Agency recoveries and less any insurance proceeds. 

DHCD Contact: Jack Daniels, 301-429-7802[email protected]
                         David Klingler, 301-429-7799, [email protected]

WholeHome (Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program)

This program provides low interest rate financing to low- and moderate-income homeowners or to landlords with one to four unit rental properties in order to rehabilitate their dwelling or rental unit.  Homeowners and tenants must meet eligibility requirements of 80% statewide income. If this is a rental property, the owner must agree to recorded covenants restricting the rental unit usage.
http://dhcd.maryland.gov/Residents/Pages/WholeHome.aspx

DHCD Contact: Jack Daniels, 301-429-7802, jack.daniels2@maryland.
                         David Klingler, 301-429-7799, david.klingler@
maryland.gov

Maryland Disaster Housing Assistance Program (MDHAP)

This program is a resource for short-term, emergency rental assistance for families or individuals displaced by a natural disaster as identified by MEMA of DHR. MDHAP will pay the owner the advertised rent or 100% of the fair market, whichever is less. The term of the voucher is 90 days, extensions will be considered if the home is not ready for occupancy at the end of 90 days.

DHCD Contact: Gregory Hare, 301-429-7775, [email protected]

Community Legacy

The Community Legacy program is a flexible source of grant and loan funding for revitalization of targeted areas; downtown Ellicott City IS eligible for these awards. Recent awards in Ellicott City include grants for storefront improvements and street furniture. The eligible applicant is Howard County or a local nonprofit development organization.
http://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities/Pages/programs/CL.aspx

DHCD Contact:  Melissa Archer, 410-209-5820[email protected]

Strategic Demolition Fund

The Strategic Demolition Fund is used by local governments and nonprofit community development organizations for a range of predevelopment activities, including removal of unsafe structures, demolition of obsolete structures, site acquisition and land assembly, infrastructure improvements, site development and architectural and engineering services. Eligible applicants are local governments and local nonprofit development organizations.
http://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities/Pages/programs/SDF.aspx

DHCD Contact:  Melissa Archer, 410-209-5820[email protected]

Main Street Maryland

Ellicott City is one of Maryland’s 28 designated historic Main Streets, and is, therefore, able to participate in quarterly trainings as well as participate in the above two grant programs as well as the Main Street Improvement Program, which provides a range of small grants for local revitalization projects. Eligible applicants are local governments and local nonprofit development organizations.
http://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities/Pages/programs/MainStreet.aspx

DHCD Contact:  Susan Sheppard, [email protected]

Maryland Business Recovery

The Maryland Business Recovery Loan Program is an emergency loan program to assist small businesses affected by the flooding event in Ellicott City on July 30, 2016.

Eligible Applicants

  • Maryland-based small businesses

  • Business must be located in a commercial space

  • Nonprofit organizations

  • Business must be located in Ellicott City’s Main Street area
    Note: Applicant must show proof of insurance status

Amount of Financing Available

  • Up to $50,000 (amount based on damage assessment).

  • Interest rate of zero percent (0%)

  • Higher amounts will be considered on a case-by-case basis

  • Financing may be used in conjunction with other financing, insurance proceeds, etc.

  • Target loan term is 1-5 years, depending on loan size and affordability

Eligible Uses of Funds

  • Renovations

  • Repairs and replacement of furniture, fixtures and equipment

  • Inventory replacement

  • Certain other costs associated with recovery of a small business, including working capital

DHCD Contact: Michael Haloskey 443-214-8429, [email protected]

For more information about the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and its programs, visithttp://dhcd.maryland.gov or call 1-800-756-0119.