October 1, 2020
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Kelly Cimino, Director, Department of Housing and Community Development, 410-313-6318
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is now accepting applications for its Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program October open enrollment period, its final enrollment period of 2020. Applications are available online and completed applications can be submitted either online, mailed to 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 224, Columbia, MD, 21046, or dropped off at DHCD’s Patuxent Woods Drive office by appointment only. Applications are being accepted now through Friday, October 30, 2020.
“Homeownership improves economic mobility and expands opportunity for generations as families build wealth,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “Through our MIHU program, we are creating affordable homeownership opportunities to help families call Howard County home. This program is an investment in people, in socioeconomic diversity and in building a county that cultivates a better quality of life for all. If you are interested in our MIHU program or know anyone who can benefit, I encourage you to visit our MIHU website today to learn more about the program’s eligibility requirements."
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, DHCD will not be hosting its regularly scheduled, in-person MIHU renter and homeownership informational workshops this October. Instead, the presentations from each of these informational workshops can be found online, as frequently asked questions and the answers explaining the program’s eligibility requirements and application process.
“While the department is not able to host in person MIHU workshops for potential renters and homebuyers at this time, we are here to assist residents and answer questions by phone and email,” said Kelly Cimino, DHCD Director. “We are committed to providing information about affordable rental and homeownership resources so residents can find the best housing options for their families.”
To purchase an MIHU home, individuals must apply to DHCD during an open enrollment period to be placed in the database. To qualify, an applicant’s household income may not exceed 80 percent of Howard County’s median income (example: maximum $92,461 for a four-person household to as much as $122,048 for an eight-person household). Applicants must meet minimum credit score requirements and household income must be sufficient to qualify for a mortgage based on industry standards. Sale prices for available MIHU homes, currently range from $244,000 for a new condo to $386,000 for a new townhouse. Actual sale prices may vary depending on the size and amenities of the unit.
Homeownership opportunities are currently being offered at below-market sales prices in several Howard County communities, including Delacour at Blue Stream in Elkridge, Paddock Pointe in Laurel, River Overlook at Oxford Square in Hanover and Trotters Knoll in Ellicott City. In addition to these new homes, previously owned condominiums and townhomes throughout the county are also for sale under the MIHU program as they become available. With current low interest rates, individuals and families with incomes as low as $60,000 or slightly less may qualify to purchase a home. MIHU homeownership program applications are available online or interested applicants can request to have a paper application mailed to them by calling 410-313-6318 and selecting option two or emailing housing@howardcountymd.gov.
To rent an MIHU unit, a qualified applicant’s household income may not exceed 60% of the Howard County median income (example: maximum $48,542 for a one-person household and $74,893 for a five-person household). MIHUs are rented on a first-come, first-served basis, are interspersed throughout each community and residents enjoy the same amenities of community life as market rate tenants. Alta at Regency Crest, Annapolis Junction, Ashbury Courts, Azure Oxford Square, Belmont Station, Brompton House, Burgess Mill Station II, Dartmoor Place, Miller’s Grant, Mission Place, Orchard Meadows, Orchard Park, Penniman Park, The Refinery, Townes at Pine Orchard, The Vine and Verde II currently participate in the MIHU program. Prospective renters may apply directly to a participating rental community at any time during the year. Visit DHCD’s MIHU rental website for more information.
Open enrollment periods for the MIHU homeownership program are held quarterly. For more information, to request a paper application and/or to schedule an appointment to drop-off your completed application, contact DHCD’s Housing Opportunities Programs Division at 410-313-6318 and select option two, email housing@howardcountymd.gov or visit DHCD’s open enrollment website.