Notice 26-08: 2026 Annual Multifamily Housing Awards and Newest Members

2026 Annual Multifamily Housing Awards

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) recognized several multifamily housing projects in the state during the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition’s annual Secretary's Breakfast and awards ceremony on April 21, 2026. We’re proud to celebrate this year’s Housing Award winners, including:

Hill House at Beechfield for Construction Excellence

This project was made possible through the collaboration of:

• Developer: KCG Companies

• Architect: Moseley Architects

• General Contractor: Commercial Construction

The Point at Smithsburg for Excellence in Affordable Housing Preservation

This project was made possible through the collaboration of:

• Developer: Green Street Housing and TM Associates

• Architect: Architecture by Design

• General Contractor: Harkins Builders

The Hammond at Greenmount Park for Outstanding Community Revitalization

This project was made possible through the collaboration of:

• Developer: Somerset Development Company and ReBUILD Metro

• Architect: Quinn Evans

• General Contractor: Harkins Builders

Meet the Team Behind the Work

Over the past several months, we've strengthened our leadership within CDA's Multifamily team, bringing fresh perspectives and deep expertise to guide our next chapter. With that, we’re excited to announce:

Angela Steele

Director, Rental Lending

Angela Steele began her affordable housing career as a Project Management Intern for Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco. She went on to work for BRIDGE Housing Corporation, where she managed senior-occupied rehabs in the Rental Assistance Demonstration conversion program. At NewCourtland, Angela served as the Deputy Director of Project Management and completed LIHTC and NMTC projects in Philadelphia. As Director of Development at Stone Sherick Consulting Group, she worked with clients to complete LIHTC developments and feasibility analyses in Pennsylvania and New York. Prior to joining DHCD, Angela served as the Vice President of Real Estate for Foya Development Group, an emerging affordable housing developer in New Jersey.

Abdul Sylla

Deputy Director, Multifamily Operations 

Prior to joining CDA, Abdul served as a Mission Deputy Controller at USAID, overseeing the financial management of U.S. Government–funded development programs across Agriculture, Health, Humanitarian Assistance, and Governance, and advising the Mission Director as a member of the senior leadership team. Prior to USAID, he spent nearly a decade at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, advancing through multiple roles to Deputy Director of the Division of Finance and Administration.

Andrea Loreg

Underwriting Team Leader

Andrea is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Housing Development Finance Professional. Andrea started her 16-year career at DHCD as a Loan Accountant and transitioned to multifamily underwriting in 2021. As a CDA Underwriter, Andrea created or preserved 700 units of affordable housing. Andrea is dedicated to providing community-focused housing solutions to the citizens of Maryland.

Bhek Simmons

Underwriter Team Leader

Bhek a graduate of Hampton University and the University of Maryland. Bhek is a licensed Financial Advisor and the owner of a mortgage company. Over his 13-year career as an underwriter for the Federal Housing Administration, Bhek financed thousands of units of housing. Bhek is a motorcycle enthusiast who bikes to work most days, an audiophile, and a proud dad of two daughters.

Francisco Castellanos

Underwriter Team Leader

Francisco started his affordable housing career in 2015 at the Baltimore Department of Housing & Community Development and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City. He has been involved in the preservation or creation of over 2,000 housing units. Francisco started working on CDA deals in 2024 as a third-party underwriter before joining the agency directly in 2025. In his free time, he and his wife enjoy watching their teenage kids play sports and spending time with their three dogs.

Senemeh Akwei

Construction Management Administrator

Senemeh has over 15 years of experience in design and construction. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Temple University and a Master of Real Estate Development from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is also a certified LEED Green Associate. Senemeh joined the Department in 2016, initially serving as a Housing Inspector in the CDA Single-Family division, where he assisted homeowners with critical construction repairs. In 2018, he transitioned to the CDA Multifamily division as a Senior Construction Management Officer, where he has successfully overseen the completion of more than 50 projects, including new construction, rehabilitation, and transitional housing.

Caty Waterman

Director, Compliance and Administration

Caty earned a B.A. in economics from Sweet Briar College and a M.Sc. in Political Science and Political Economy from the London School of Economics. She has served several roles within CDA over the last ten years. For the majority of that time, she has been responsible for the Qualified Allocation Plan and Competitive Funding Rounds. Her new role adds oversight of LIHTC Compliance. In her free time, Caty enjoys traveling, knitting, and spending time with her two beagles.