HAND joined Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers (WRAG) and nearly 30 philanthropic, business and nonprofit leaders in a public statement calling for fair and equitable treatment of the District of Columbia as part of federal stimulus legislation related to the COVID-19 crisis.

The statement outlined the gravity of losing $750 million needed to address racial and economic inequities and to support thousands of small businesses, nonprofits, and over 700,000 residents. It noted the District’s important role in the operation of national sites and museums, and the federal government, its contribution to the nation’s tax base, and the established precedent of having treated DC as a state in other legislation. 

An excerpt reads: 

“The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, treated Washington, DC differently than virtually all other federal legislation by funding it comparably to U.S. territories rather than states—which meant it lost some $750 million in essential financial support (the District of Columbia was allocated about $500 million compared to $1.25 billion for states). This break with Congressional precedent should matter to everyone. As representatives of philanthropic, business and nonprofit organizations in the Greater Washington region (DC, Suburban Maryland, and Virginia), we are adamant that it is both fair and appropriate that future COVID-19 legislation maintain decades of past practice by funding DC comparably to states.

DC’s population of 705,000 is higher than some states. Its residents pay the highest per-capita federal income taxes in the country and together pay more taxes than 22 states. A U.S. Senate report notes, ‘Congress already treats the District as if it were a state for the purpose of over 500 statutory purposes — from federal taxation to military conscription to highway funds, education funds, and national motor voter requirements. The Supreme Court has also deemed DC the equivalent of a state for certain constitutional purposes…'”

Read the full statement here.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will hold a series of public hearings to develop its new draft Annual Plan update of the State’s Consolidated Plan.

The Consolidated Plan is a five-year planning document required by HUD that sets out overall Statewide goals and priorities for housing, community development, and economic development activities.  Special emphasis is given under the Plan to provide assistance for extremely low, low, and moderate-income persons.  In addition to being a planning document, the Consolidated Plan also serves as the State’s application to HUD for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), Housing Opportunity With AIDS (HOPWA) and the Housing Trust Fund (HTF).  These funds are used primarily in the State’s rural areas (with the exception of HTF), as many communities, including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties, as well as the Cities of Annapolis, Baltimore, Bowie, Cumberland, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Hagerstown and Salisbury receive their own funding directly from HUD. DHCD will receive about $4.1 million in HOME funding, $7.1 million in CDBG funding, $1 million in ESG funding, $3 million in HTF funding and $1.8 million in HOPWA funding in FFY 2017.

In addition to the above, the Consolidated Plan also makes it possible for DHCD, public housing authorities, local governments, nonprofit organizations, community action agencies and others to apply for funding under HUD’s competitive grant programs.  Local public housing authority Plans must be consistent with the State’s Consolidated Plan, and USDA Farmer’s Home housing programs and Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits are also coordinated with the Plan.   Lastly, while not directly covered by the Consolidated Plan, HUD funding allocations for the Section 8 Certificate and Voucher programs may be made in a way that enables jurisdictions to carry out their Consolidated Plan.

In developing its five-year Plan, the State determined it would focus its resources on four main priorities:  Revitalizing Communities, Expanding the Supply of Decent Affordable Housing, Providing Homeownership Opportunities and Reducing Homelessness. The Annual Plan update (which will be for the third year of the current Five Year Plan) will establish one-year goals for these priorities.  It is for this purpose that we are holding public hearings – to gain input regarding how to carry out these goals in the coming year.

The draft Annual Plan has been written. It should be noted that HUD has changed the Annual Plan from a written document to a largely online tool using pre-filled data. DHCD has written a draft Annual Plan, using the new online system using the data that HUD has provided, and has opened a 14 day public comment period beginning Monday, July 10, 2017.  A second set of hearings will be held beginning the third week in July. Written comments (by both email and standard mail) will also be accepted at the hearings, or may be submitted in writing through COB Sunday, July 23, 2017 (at the address listed below).  The final version of the Annual Plan will be submitted to HUD on or around August 16, 2017.

The draft Annual Plan is available on-line on DHCD’s website at http://dhcd.maryland.gov. It can be found under the “Publications” heading at the bottom of the website.  In addition, copies of the draft Annual Plan are available at the following libraries:  the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, the Blackwell Library in Salisbury, the Washington County Free Library in Hagerstown, the Lewis J. Ort Library in Frostburg, the Frederick Douglas Library in Princess Anne, and the Southern Maryland Regional Library in Charlotte Hall.  A large print version is available at the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Baltimore.  Free copies of the draft Annual Plan are also available by calling, writing, or e-mailing the address and phone numbers listed below.

The second set of hearings on the draft Annual Plan will be held at the following dates, times, and places:

Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 7:00 PM
Towson Library
320 York Road
Wilson Room
Towson, MD 21204

Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at 10:30 AM
Town of Denton
4 N. Second Street

Second Floor Training Room
Denton, MD 21629

Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 10:30 AM

Fairview Branch Library
Small Meeting Room
Rt. 4 and Chaneyville Road
Owings, Maryland  20736

Friday, July 21, 2017 at 1:30 PM
Allegany County Office Complex
701 Kelly Road
Potomac Room 230
Cumberland, MD 21502

All of the hearing rooms are accessible to persons with disabilities.  Persons requiring a translator should request one at least three days prior to the hearing they plan to attend.  Any questions or comments should be directed to the following contact:

Ms. Ja’Nai C. Streat
Senior Housing Policy Analyst
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
7800 Harkins Road
Lanham, Maryland 20706
301-429-7445 or Maryland Relay for the Deaf at 1-800-735-2258
janai.streat@maryland.gov

On April 22, 2017 volunteers from Generation HAND, the NHP Foundation and GRID Alternatives joined forces for its first ever “Lending a HAND Community Day” to install solar panels at the Parkchester Apartment complex in Washington D.C.

The installation of these panels come at no cost to residents and provide savings on energy spending. Additionally, Parkchester Apartments is the first multi-family housing installment that GRID Alternatives is undertaking in the Mid-Atlantic region, which will provide a long-term solution to high energy bills.

“HAND is thrilled to partner with our member, NHPF, and GRID Alternatives,” said HAND’s Executive Director Heather Raspberry. “For our members, this activity is more than just a volunteer opportunity, but a reminder of the importance of the work that we do to ensure individuals and families across our region have healthy and sustainable housing that is also affordable.”

To read the full press release, click here.

Celebrates 25^th Anniversary Celebration during 2016 Annual Meeting & Housing Expo

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 16, 2016 – The Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND), celebrating its 25^th Anniversary, is pleased to announce the 2016 slate of HAND Housing Achievement Awardees. The awards program is designed to recognize the most outstanding and innovative housing developments, programs and solutions across the metropolitan region. The winners will be honored at the organization’s upcoming 2016 Annual Meeting & Housing Expo on June 21, 2016 at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.

The awardees are:

• Nonprofit Developer of the Year: Community Preservation and Development Corporation
• Best Large Affordable Housing Project: MetroTowns at Parkside: The Linda Joy and Kenneth Jay Pollin Memorial Community
  Developers: Pollin Memorial Community Development, LLC, a joint venture between Enterprise Homes, Inc. and Mr. Abe Pollin
• Best Small Affordable Housing Project: Trinity Plaza
  Developers: Far Southwest-Southeast Community Development Corporation
• Best Housing Partner: Arlington County
• Emerging Leader: Jocelyn Harris, Single Family Housing Developer, Housing Initiative Partnership
• President’s Choice: Sheila Crowley, Former President & CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition

What: HAND 25^th Anniversary Celebration, 2016 Annual Meeting & Housing Expo will also explore the future of housing equity – regionally and nationally – and feature:

• Interactive Plenary:  “State of the Nation’s Housing,” Christopher Herbert, Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University; including highlights of the soon-to-be-released 2016 report)

When: Tuesday, June 21, 2016, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Awards Luncheon – 12:30 PM

Where: Crystal City Marriott Hotel
1700 Jefferson Davis Pkwy, Arlington, Virginia

Who: More than 1200 affordable housing and community development regional leaders, presenters, keynote speaker (tbd) and more!

For additional information on the awardees, HAND’s 25^th Anniversary Celebration, 2016 Annual Meeting & Housing Expo or sponsorship information, contact TeAnne Coleman Chennault 213. 399.6467 or email TChennault@HANDHousing.org.

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For 25 years, HAND has served as the only regional membership association dedicated to supporting the community development industry in its efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Through education, engagement and training, HAND builds the capacity of its diverse membership comprised of nonprofit and for-profit housing developers, resident service providers, lenders, government agencies, policy analysts and others, to support the development of sustainable communities for people and families at all income levels.

Visit www.HANDHousing.org to learn more about HAND’s efforts to build vibrant communities across the metropolitan region.

Maryann Dillon Elected President of the Board of Directors for the
Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers

Sasha-Gaye Angus, Michaels Development Corporation; Monica Warren-Jones, Enterprise; Shelley Murphy, Wesley Housing; and J. Michael Pitchford, CPDC, Named Directors

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND), one of the largest associations in the Washington DC region dedicated to affordable housing and community development practitioners, announced today that Maryann Dillon, executive director the Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP), has been elected president of the board of directors for the 2015 – 2017 term.

“For nearly 25 years, I have worked to enrich affordable housing opportunities for families in this region. I welcome the opportunity to use that experience in leading the HAND board as the organization moves towards its 25^th year,” said Dillon. “HAND’s focus has always been on serving practitioners who build communities. I look forward to doing my part in increasing HAND’s value to its members and ensuring it will continue to be a valuable asset for the foreseeable future.”

Dillon has served on the HAND board for a number of years and has held leadership roles with HIP, a green nonprofit developer and service provider based in Prince George’s County, Maryland since 2012. Previously she worked with the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County and Bank of America Community Development Corporation.  She has extensive experience in managing complex real estate development projects from initial acquisition to project stabilization. Dillon holds a master’s in business administration from Yale School of Management and a master’s in public administration from Baruch College through the National Urban Fellows program.

She replaces immediate past president, Michael J. Scheurer who held the position from June 2013 to June 2015. Scheurer, recently named vice president of housing and community development at Cornerstones in Reston, will remain on the board as its immediate past president.

“I want to thank Mike for his dedicated service and for welcoming in a new era of HAND through his dynamic leadership of the board,” said Heather Raspberry, executive director of HAND. “Maryann’s knowledge of the organization and of this field will be invaluable as we pass the quarter century mark and look to the future, especially as we build on our current strategic direction and plan for the 2016-2019 vision.”

Additionally, HAND named four regional leaders from various sectors of the affordable housing and community development industry to the board: Sasha-Gaye Angus, vice president of the Michaels Development Company; Monica Warren-Jones, director of Relationship Management for Enterprise Community Partner’s Mid-Atlantic office; Shelley Murphy, president and CEO of Wesley Housing; and J. Michael Pitchford, president and CEO of Community Preservation and Development Corporation.

With these recent additions to the board, the 18 directors effectively represent the association’s diverse membership, which operates throughout the metropolitan area and in nearly every sector of the industry.

For more information, go to www.HandHousing.org.