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Housing Programs
Overview
Calvert County is home to numerous safe, attractive residential communities. Residents are drawn to the county's rural character, good schools, low taxes and low crime rates.
Mission
Encourage the availability of a variety of housing types to serve different age groups, family sizes and incomes of Calvert County citizens. View the Comprehensive Plan.
Strategies
While working to maintain the rural nature of the county, the Board of County Commissioners has also initiated a number of strategies to encourage the development of housing to meet the diverse needs of its citizens. These initiatives include:
- Development of a Calvert County Housing Information Guide - March 2024, which provides a listing of local housing resources.
- Incorporation of new planning and zoning tools to provide additional opportunities for the construction of affordable housing within the county.
- Waiver of the purchase of Transfer Development Rights (TDRs), (required for increased density housing) available for qualifying affordable housing developments.
- Partnership with the State of Maryland to provide down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers through the House Keys 4 Employees Program (PDF).
- Employers interested in becoming an Employer Partner must complete a Participation Agreement and submit it to
Cecilia Weller, Business Development Manager
Single Family Housing Programs
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
cecilia.weller@maryland.gov
- Employers interested in becoming an Employer Partner must complete a Participation Agreement and submit it to
Click on the resources below to open and close the directory list for each topic:
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Authority of Calvert County (HACC) administers federal Housing Choice Vouchers. HACC's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program allows low-income families to rent quality housing in the private market via federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Through the HCV Program, HACC pays a portion of eligible families' rent each month. These payments are made directly to the property owner/manager. Participating families can use their vouchers to rent a house or apartment from private property owners throughout Calvert County. This program helps families realize their potential and cultivate their personal, economic and social skills to support the transition from subsidized to non-subsidized housing. Currently there is a 5-year waitlist for this program.
Housing Authority
Email: mail@calverthousing.org
Physical Address: 480 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Phone: 410-535-5010, ext. 300
Website: Housing Authority of Calvert County Website
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Project Based Vouchers
HACC owns and maintains 72 site-detached single-family RAD dwellings. RAD allows public housing agencies to leverage public and private debt and equity in order to reinvest in the public housing stock..
Housing for Seniors and the Disabled
HACC owns and/or manages housing for the elderly and disabled in the following communities:
- Calvert Pines I Apartments, Prince Frederick - 52 units
- Calvert Pines II Apartments, Prince Frederick - 48 units
- Southern Pines Apartments, Lusby - 76 units
Other Programs
- Special Loan Program provides rehabilitation loans for low- and moderate-income homeowners.
Overview
There are many challenges associated with Calvert County’s growing need for affordable/workforce housing, but there are also many opportunities for success. The Board of County Commissioners is committed to supporting collaborative partnerships of government, private sector and citizens to encourage the development of moderately-priced housing.
Resources
To further assist in locating, financing, or developing affordable housing units in Calvert County, the following resources, tools, and programs are provided for your information:
For Homebuyers/Renters
- Accessible Homes for Seniors (PDF)
- Accessory Apartment Guide (PDF)
- County Supplemental Homeowner Tax Credit
- Foreclosure Prevention
- House Keys 4 Employees Program (PDF)
- Housing Authority
- Housing Information Guide (PDF)
- Maryland Housing Search for Rental Properties
- MD Department of Housing and Community Development Maryland Mortgage Program
- Patuxent Habitat for Humanity
- Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses
- Special Loans Program - Help with Well/Septic Repairs
Contact
If, after viewing the incentives above, you still have questions or concerns, you may contact the Housing Authority at 410-535-5010 x 300.
Calvert County is Maryland's smallest county in land area with 213 square miles. It is home to more than 92,000 people and has one of the highest standards of living in Maryland. There are more than 5,200 businesses in the county and a labor force of at least 1.8 million resides within a one-hour drive. Major industries include defense contracting, information technology, tourism and administrative services.
Residents of Calvert County may be homeowners, renters, and landlords. There are resources available for residents in their housing search and needs.
For Landlords:
- List your rental for free at www.MDHousingSearch.org
- Landlord Resources from 211 Maryland: https://211md.org/being-a-landlord
- Tips for Avoiding Disputes from the Maryland Attorney General: www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/CPD/landlords.aspx
- PDF booklet:https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/CPD%20Documents/Tips-Publications/landlordTenantPDF.pdf
- Conflict Resolution - Free Community Mediation Services: The Community Mediation Center of Calvert County has a long and successful history of working with families, the courts, law enforcement and businesses to help bring about meaningful and peaceful conflict resolution. They offer their services in a range of locations and settings conveniently located throughout the county. Learn more at https://www.calvert-mediation.org/
- People’s Law Library of Maryland: This self-help legal resources hosted by the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library has resources for:
- Being A Landlord: The Federal, State, and Local laws governing the landlord-tenant relationship
- Guidance for Potential MD Landlords
- Landlord Responsibilities: Learn about the responsibilities of a landlord, such as: collect and handle security deposits in strict compliance with the law, maintain certain records and receipts, and post or provide certain information for tenants.
- Right of Possession and Right of Entry: What are the landlord’s responsibilities for assuring tenants that they have possession of the premises, but the landlord retains a right to enter the premises for reasonable purposes? Read more in this article.
- Tenant’s Right of Possession and Right of Entry by a Landlord: When can a landlord enter a rental property? What are the tenant’s privacy rights? If you are unclear, read more in this article.
For Renters:
- The Housing Authority of Calvert County (HACC) administers 346 federal Housing Choice Vouchers. HACC's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program allows low-income families to rent quality housing in the private market via federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- The Department of Community Resources maintains an Calvert County Housing Information Guide (PDF), listing affordable developments and financial resources.
- Find housing - This housing locator service helps people find housing to best fit their needs. The service is available online with support by a toll-free, bilingual call center (Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm EDT). Housing seekers can easily search for housing using a variety of criteria and mapping features. It's free to search and list unlimited units.
- If your landlord is facing foreclosure, learn about the “Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act” and know your rights during a foreclosure. Resources are available for you to call for tenant assistance and service.
- Conflict Resolution - Free Community Mediation Services: The Community Mediation Center of Calvert County has a long and successful history of working with families, the courts, law enforcement and businesses to help bring about meaningful and peaceful conflict resolution. They offer their services in a range of locations and settings conveniently located throughout the county.
- Rent Court Resources - Learn more about landlord and tenant causes of action. Renters and landlords can request that the Courts resolve a dispute between both parties.
- District Court of Maryland complaint form for rent escrow and/or injunction.
- The rent escrow process is used when a tenant is requesting a landlord to make a critical repair to the property. Tenants should not withhold rent from a Landlord, but rather should file a complaint for rent escrow and pay rental funds into an escrow account. The specific steps a tenant must take can be found at the People's Law resource.
- District Court of Maryland complaint form for rent escrow and/or injunction.
- Eviction resources
For Homeowners:
- Find guidelines for home-ownership
- Learn about the Maryland Mortgage Program: The Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) provides 30-year fixed-rate home loans to eligible homebuyers purchasing in Maryland. Loan terms are competitive with other home loan products on the market, but what makes MMP unique is the range of associated financial incentives and other assistance that, for many homebuyers, means the difference between being able to purchase and continuing to rent.
- Learn about the Independent Living Tax Credit: The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development administers a State of Maryland tax credit for residents of the state who have renovated a home to be more accessible. The tax credit may be up to 50% of the cost of the renovation up to $5,000, whether it’s your own home, the home of a family member, or a rental property. To claim this credit, the renovations must have taken place during the prior tax year, and you must demonstrate the costs incurred with receipts, invoices, before and after pictures, etc. Any approved accessibility features will be considered in the calculation for the tax credit amount.
- Learn about Maryland WholeHome Loans for valuable home repairs and improvements and to learn about grants and loans that can be used to upgrade to energy efficient appliances, repair or replace heating and cooling systems, replace insulation, add accessibility features for seniors or those with special needs, remove lead paint, upgrade plumbing and address structural and maintenance issues.
- The Housing Authority of Calvert County works closely with the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program which can be used for well and septic repairs. To learn more and view application documents, visit DHCD’s website. Generally, all loan requests are processed directly by local governments. Contact the Housing Authority of Calvert County for more information and application guidelines at (410) 535-5010.
- Foreclosure Prevention: Help is available for Maryland Homeowners. If you’re late with a payment, don’t wait to call for help. Call the Maryland HOPE hotline at 1-877-462-7555 or visit the Department of Housing and Community Development website for information on counseling resources, mediation and how to avoid fraud.
If you have concerns about being evicted, or have received an order of eviction, the resources below might be able to help.
- Rent and Utility Assistance: If you are having a hard time making your rent and utility payments, and are in need of emergency assistance, contact Calvert County’s Department of Social Services (DSS) for a referral to a local agency that can provide you with emergency rental or utility assistance. You can reach Calvert County’s DSS office at: (443) 550-6900.
- Conflict Resolution - Free Community Mediation Services: The Community Mediation Center of Calvert County is has a long and successful history of working with families, the courts, law enforcement and businesses to help bring about meaningful and peaceful conflict resolution. They offer their services in a range of locations and settings conveniently located throughout the county. Learn more at https://www.calvert-mediation.org/
- Rental Eviction Resources: Visit the People’s Law Library of Maryland for more information about rent court, eviction by sheriff, what to expect in court, and more.
- Legal Aid: Contact Maryland Legal Aid. You can complete an online or telephone intake. Local Phone Number: (301) 932-6661 and Toll Free Phone Number: (877) 310-1810. Telephone intakes are completed Monday – Thursday 09:30 AM - 04:00 PM
You may also contact:
- Lifestyles of Southern Maryland, Inc.: Call: 1-866-293-0623 for more information
- Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action: Call 301-274-4474 for more information
- Community Ministry of Calvert County: Call 410-414-8007 or email communityministrycalco@gmail.com for an appointment or for more information.
- Hours: Monday and Tuesday from 1-5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to noon
- DSS can help you apply for Emergency Assistance which provides emergency cash assistance to families who need emergency help paying rent or utilities or for other emergencies. These funds are available through the local department once every two years when funds are available.
Foreclosure Resources:
- Civil Justice, Inc.: Pro bono and reduced fee legal for low- to moderate income households. Also offers free 1-hour legal advice sessions with foreclosure defense attorney. Direct Line (for foreclosure inquiries): 240-392-1566 Civil Justice Main Office: 410-706-0174.
- Maryland HOPE: Call 1-877-462-7555 to learn about your options, your rights, and avoid fraud during a foreclosure.
- Maryland Mortgage Program’s loan servicer contact information and COVID-19 specific links:
- Bank of America, contact them at 1-800-669-6607 or on the Bank of America website.
- U.S. Bank, contact them at 1-888-287-7817 or on the U.S. Bank website.
- Dovenmuehle, Inc., contact them at 877-330-4064 or on the Dovenmuehle website.
- AmeriNat, contact them at 1-800-943-1988 or email customerservice@amerinatls.com.
- Foreclosure Mediation: Mediation is a confidential conversation between a homeowner and the lender. At mediation all the parties get together to discuss the mortgage situation and how the homeowner can keep his or her home or move out. For more information, visit: https://www.peoples-law.org/foreclosure-mediation
- Foreclosure Steps and Timeline: here to learn more about the timeline of a foreclosure case from beginning to end.
- HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies: Visit HUD’s website for a full list of approved agencies.
- Foreclosure Prevention Tips from DHCD
Below are programs that may be able to assist Calvert County Residents with utility costs.
- Contact Calvert County’s Department of Social Services (DSS)
- DSS can help you apply for Emergency Assistance which provides emergency cash assistance to families who need emergency help paying rent or utilities or for other emergencies. These funds are available through the local department once every two years when funds are available.
- DSS is located at 200 Duke Street, Prince Frederick MD 20678
- Call DSS at (443) 550-6900 Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Email: calvert.dss@maryland.gov
- Apply for Utility Assistance through the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs
- The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides bill assistance to low-income households in the State of Maryland to make their energy costs more affordable and to help with the prevention of loss and the restoration of home energy service. Note: Energy assistance will not reduce the amount of any other public assistance benefits you receive, such as TCA or Food Stamps. Nor will it reduce Social Security benefits. Learn more at: https://dhs.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/
- How to Apply:
- Drop Boxes: Application for Energy Assistance (fillable application). You can also request a paper application by calling 1-800-332-6347.
- Apply online at: https://mymdthink.maryland.gov/home/#/
- Mail-In and In-Person Applications: https://dhs.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/local-home-energy-program-office/
- NEW: Apply to the Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF)
- Learn more about this fuel (gas) assistance program and how to apply at: https://www.washingtongas.com/community/waff
- Upcoming application events: Applications accepted on Saturdays in February at the Harriet Elizabeth Brown Community Center in Prince Frederick from 9 am - 12 pm.
- Community Ministry of Calvert County
- Community Ministry of Calvert county is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emergency grants to people who need them in Calvert County. They provide assistance with rent or utilities including electricity, gas, oil and water.
- Website: https://communityministrycalco.wordpress.com/
- Location: 440 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678 | Open Monday and Wednesday from 1-5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Phone: 410-414-8007 | Email: community.ministrycalco@gmail.com
- SMILE
- SMILE has operates a Food Pantry that is chiefly supported by a Thrift Store featuring low-cost clothing and household items. Sales from the Thrift Store provide the core of support that makes the Food Pantry and all other SMILE services possible. It has made possible the Emergency Assistance program, which helps SMILE members with emergencies with utility bills, rent, mortgage, prescriptions, and other life necessities.
- Website: https://smileinc.org/financial-assistance/
- Location: 10290 HG Trueman Rd., Lusby
- Phone: 410-326-0009 | Email: smileministriesinc@gmail.com
- Visit OurCalvert.org to identify additional resources.