Housing (Community Development)

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 998: Real Property - Mobile Home Parks - Rent Limitations

This bill limits how much mobile home park owners in Maryland can increase annual rent for existing residents, generally capping increases at the lower of the national consumer price index or 4% of the previous year's rent. It establishes a formal review process where owners seeking larger increases must petition the Department of Housing and Community Development, provide documentation of extraordinary expenses like major repairs or government-mandated improvements, and allow residents to submit comments within a 45-day period. The bill also prohibits park owners from retaliating against residents who participate in homeowners associations, file complaints, or exercise their legal rights. Additionally, it defines key terms such as "mobile home," "park," "resident," and "extraordinary expense" to clarify the scope of protections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits rent increases for mobile home park residents, protecting tenant rights and maintaining affordability95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 938: Community Development - Affordable Multifamily Rental Housing Stabilization Program - Establishment

SB 938 establishes Maryland's Affordable Multifamily Rental Housing Stabilization Program to provide emergency capital repair funding for private, affordable multifamily rental properties with 15+ units serving low-income households. The program requires property owners to prove they lack sufficient operating or reserve funds to cover urgent repairs, and offers low- or no-interest loans or grants up to $1 million per property annually. The Governor may allocate $5 million yearly for the program during fiscal years 2028-2031, with priority given to repairs that reduce operating costs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M annual state funding for affordable housing repairs, directly advancing budget allocation for essential housing services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes emergency repair funding for affordable multifamily housing serving low-income tenants, preserving existing affordable units through grants/loans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Renters

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1252: Department of Housing and Community Development - Montgomery County Study MC 19-26

HB 1252 requires Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development to study housing availability and affordability in Montgomery County and propose solutions. The study must examine housing types, development opportunities, and how regulations/market forces impact supply, with recommendations to increase housing options. The department must submit interim reports by November 2026 and 2027, plus a final report by November 2028, to Montgomery County officials and the Maryland General Assembly. The bill expires automatically on June 30, 2029, after a 3-year study period. It directly affects Montgomery County residents by addressing local housing challenges through a structured policy review.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates study to propose solutions increasing housing options, directly aligning with affordable housing advancement indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Zoning

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1501: Department of Housing and Community Development - Homeless Shelter Certification

HB 1501 requires Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development to create a certification program for homeless shelters, mandating that all shelters obtain certification by July 1, 2026, or cease operations. The bill establishes a tiered certification system prioritizing year-round shelters (including transitional and medical care shelters) over seasonal or motel-based shelters, with staggered application deadlines for different shelter types. It mandates specific requirements for certification, including organizational documentation, regular on-site inspections, and a grievance process for residents to report violations. This directly affects all homeless shelter operators statewide, requiring them to meet new standards or face penalties for operating without certification after the deadline.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires certification for homeless shelters with tiered system prioritizing year-round services, directly addressing homelessness through improved shelter standards and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Homelessness Property Development

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 1452: Economic Development - Prince George's County Suitland Development Authority - Established

HB 1452 establishes the Suitland Development Authority in Prince George’s County to revitalize the Suitland Road and Silver Hill Road intersection area, which has faced decades of underdevelopment and blight. The Authority will create neighborhood revitalization plans with resident input, modify project boundaries (subject to a vote), manage finances, and operate tax-exempt under certain conditions. It directly affects residents and businesses in this specific neighborhood by aiming to boost economic activity, reduce unemployment, retain existing businesses, and increase property tax revenue for the county and state. The bill creates a new government entity focused on targeted neighborhood redevelopment, not broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax-exempt authority for economic development, providing tax relief for the Suitland project area and enabling fiscal management through tax-exempt operations.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Suitland Development Authority to revitalize blighted neighborhood area, directly advancing housing development through neighborhood revitalization plans.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes Suitland Development Authority to revitalize Suitland/Silver Hill Road intersection, directly improving road infrastructure and addressing blight at a key transportation corridor.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Community Development Property Development Property Taxes Roads & Highways Tags Economic Development

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1466: Department of Housing and Community Development - Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program - Qualified Properties

HB 1466 expands Maryland's Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program by redefining "qualified property" to include homes in neighborhoods **historically redlined or affected by urban renewal**, in addition to existing criteria. This change directly affects **homebuyers and developers** seeking affordable housing in these specific areas by allowing them to access financial assistance to cover appraisal gaps. The program helps address undervaluation of homes in historically redlined neighborhoods - where appraisals often fall below market value due to systemic bias - by providing funds to bridge that difference. The bill amends Maryland Code, Housing and Community Development Article, Section 4-2801(h), effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands financial assistance program to address historic redlining undervaluation, directly increasing affordable housing access for homebuyers/developers in targeted neighborhoods.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1516: Human Services - Energy Assistance Programs - Administration and Funding

HB 1516 transfers administration of Maryland's electric universal service program from the Public Service Commission to the Office of Home Energy Programs within the Department of Human Services. It also expands the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to cover fuel assistance programs, including weatherization for low-income households. The bill directly affects low-income residents with annual incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level who receive energy bill assistance. Key provisions include requiring the new Office to implement the electric universal service program and continuing the weatherization component previously managed by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The changes aim to streamline administration under one agency while maintaining existing eligibility and service mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands Strategic Energy Investment Fund for low-income energy assistance, directly funding essential services for vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands Strategic Energy Investment Fund for weatherization and fuel assistance, promoting energy efficiency for low-income households.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands weatherization for low-income households and funds energy assistance, directly reducing housing costs for vulnerable residents at or below 200% poverty level.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Utility Regulation Community Development Property Development

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 941: Safe and Healthy Homes for All Act

SB 941 requires Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), working with the Attorney General, to create a plan identifying rental properties with chronic health and safety violations (like repeated code failures, unsafe conditions, or negligent landlords). The plan must establish methods for reporting such properties (via tenants, local agencies, or tenant groups) and outline specific interventions, including fines, legal actions, tenant escrow accounts, required repair deadlines, and temporary relocation for unsafe units. It mandates DHCD submit this plan and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by August 31, 2027. The bill directly affects tenants living in unsafe housing and landlords operating noncompliant properties.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires DHCD to create plan addressing chronic health/safety violations in rentals via tenant reporting and interventions like fines/repairs, strengthening tenant protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Landlords Tenant Rights

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 372: Community Development - Maryland New Markets Development Program - Establishment

SB 372 establishes Maryland's New Markets Development Program to incentivize private investment in low-income communities. It creates a refundable tax credit against state income tax and certain insurance taxes for investors who make qualified equity investments in Maryland-based community development entities serving low-income areas. The credit provides 5% of the investment amount for the first three years and 8.75% for the next four years, totaling seven years. This directly affects investors, community development entities, and qualifying low-income businesses that receive capital to support job creation and economic development in underserved areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credits (5-8.75%) for investors in low-income communities, incentivizing private investment through tax relief to fund community development.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credits to incentivize private investment in low-income community development, directly funding affordable housing initiatives in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Community Development Property Development Tags Economic Development

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

HB 402: Common Ownership Communities - Oversight, Governing Document Database, and Local Commissions

HB 402 establishes a Common Ownership Community Ombudsman Unit within Maryland's Attorney General's Office to handle complaints from residents of homeowners associations (HOAs), condominiums, and cooperative housing communities about final adverse decisions made by their governing bodies. The unit will monitor relevant laws, provide members with information and referrals to dispute resolution services, and either make determinations about whether decisions violate laws or refer complaints to local county commissions. The bill also requires all common ownership communities to file governing documents with the Department of Housing and Community Development and mandates the department to create a public database of these documents. Annual reports on the unit's activities, including complaint volumes and actions taken, must be submitted to the department and the General Assembly.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes ombudsman unit to resolve disputes in HOAs/condos, strengthening tenant protections against unfair governance decisions85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

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