The Housing & Community Development Division administers, provides, and supports a variety of housing programs aimed at assisting low and moderate-income families realize decent, safe, and sanitary housing through its rental subsidy, home ownership, and community development programs.
Rental Subsidy Programs
The Housing & Community Development Division administers two rental assistance programs, which provide subsidies to eligible families.
Housing Choice Voucher Program - provides ongoing assistance to families to ensure that rental housing is affordable based on the family income and is decent, safe, and sanitary in accordance with housing quality standards. Waiting List. For information call 301-934-0112 or 301-870-3388, extension 5112. Read the latest Section 8 Newsletter.
RAP - provides fixed monthly rental subsidies on a short-term basis to families experiencing an emergency or critical housing need. For information call 301-934-0112 or 301-870-3388, ext. 5112.
Community Development Programs
The division's community development services encourage the promotion of affordable housing development and neighborhood revitalization through programs such as:
Special Loan Programs - which provide low-interest or deferred loans to improve the basic livability of single-family homes for low and moderate-income families. For information call 301-934-0136 or 301-870-3388, extension 5136.
Home Ownership Initiatives - which offer below-market rate loans to enable first-time home purchases; settlement expense loans are offered in conjunction with various home ownership initiatives. For information call 301-934-0112 or 301-870-3388, extension 5112.
Community Development Block Grants - which assist non-profit and community-based organizations obtain funding for projects directed at neighborhood and housing revitalization, economic development, and improved community facilities. For information call 301-934-0119 or 301-870-3388, ext. 5119.
Housing Commission
Affordable housing and community development endeavors are coordinated and/or supported by the Housing Commission, an appointed advisory board responsible for housing activities in the county. 301-934-0119 or 301-870-3388, ext. 5119.
Community Legacy Program
Community Legacy, a program of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), is designed to assist urban neighborhoods, suburban communities and small towns that are experiencing decline and disinvestment, but have the potential, with modest public and private investment, to be vibrant places to live and work. These Community Legacy Areas are often referred to as "at-risk" or "transitional" communities. Indications of decline include dropping property values, population loss, decreasing income and education levels, and increasing housing and commercial vacancies. For information call 301-934-0119 or 301-870-3388, extension 5119.
First Time Home Buyers Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP)
The Department of Community Services administers the Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) for Charles County. The Program is sponsored by the Housing Commission of Charles County, with the support of the Charles County Commissioners. This Program provides direct financial assistance up to $6,000 to qualified low-and moderate income, first time home buyers, with settlement expenses associated with a home purchase in Charles County. For information call 301-934-0136 or 301-870-3388, extension 5136.
Hurricane Isabel Rehabilitation, Renovation and Replacement Housing Program
The Program provides loans to Marylanders with interest-only payments to help renovate or rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Isabel. The Program is funded by the State of Maryland and administered by the Single Family Housing Program of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). For information call 301-934-0136 or 301-870-3388, extension 5136.
Homeownership for Individuals with Disabilities Program
The Homeownership for Individuals with Disabilities Program is offered through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). At least one borrower must be disabled (a disabled borrower will be required to provide to one of the approved housing counseling agencies a "Certificate of Disability" completed by a health, mental health, or disability professional). All borrowers must meet program eligibility guidelines and the loan must conform to all underwriting criteria. For information call 301-934-0136 or 301-870-3388, extension 5136.