The Maryland General Assembly created the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust in 1992 to make affordable housing more available throughout the State of Maryland. The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees and staffed by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. A portion of the interest generated by title company escrow provides the funding for the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust.
Notice of Public Meeting
ALERT: The 2018 MAHT Round Opens on July 1, 2018
APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS
The law and regulations governing of the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust are found in:
- The Housing and Community Development Article, §§10-101 - 10-301, of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended;
- Insurance Article Section 22-103 of the Annotated Code of Maryland; and
- Code of Maryland Regulations 31.16.03.01-.08.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
The Maryland Affordable Housing Trust promotes affordable housing for households earning less than 50% of area or Statewide median income by:
- Funding capital costs of rental and ownership housing;
- Providing financial assistance for nonprofit-developer capacity building;
- Funding supportive services for occupants of affordable housing; and
- Funding operating expenses of affordable housing developments.
The Maryland Affordable Housing Trust does not provide:
- Direct rental assistance to tenants;
- Capacity building assistance that is not related to a specific housing development; or
- Purchase of grantee personal property, such as office furniture or equipment.
FUNDS AVAILABILITY
The maximum award amount is $75,000.
FINANCING TERMS
Although the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust reserves the right to make its funding available as interest-bearing loans, funding for project-specific capacity building, operating expenses and support services are generally made as grants. Funding for capital costs are offered as deferred-payment loans or recoverable grants payable if the project is sold and/or ceases to be used for low-income occupancy. Pre-development awards are generally repayable.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
- Nonprofit organizations
- Public housing authorities
- Government agencies
- Profit-motivated entities
SELECTION CRITERIA
While all activities funded by the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust generally serve residents with incomes of less than 50% of statewide or area median, whichever is higher, preference is given to projects that serve households with incomes of less than 30% of median.
Projects that meet the following criteria will be most competitive:
- Target very low-income persons
- Provide housing for families with minor children and/or single adults in Single Room Occupancy units;
- Demonstrate project readiness and feasibility;
- Project long-term affordability (for capital projects);
- Demonstrate need /demand for housing in geographic area and helps achieve equitable geographic distribution of Maryland Affordable Housing Trust funds;
- Leverage other funds and/or provide the final piece in a financing package; and
- Provide self-sufficiency services.
INFO FOR APPLICANTS
INFO FOR TITLE PRODUCERS
REPORTS
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONTACT: Maryland Affordable Housing Trust
E: maht.dhcd@maryland.gov
Toll Free Phone Number: 844-368-6948