MD contributing funds for 68-unit affordable housing units in Columbia

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In approving state funding for an affordable housing complex in Columbia on Wednesday, top Maryland officials said the project represents a chance to help low- and middle-income renters, but also shows the hurdles that have contributed to a national shortage of such units.

The Board of Public Works voted unanimously to approve $3.4 million in general obligation bonds for the construction of 68 affordable housing units in the Waverly Winds community.

The units, which are part of a larger 123-unit apartment project, will be open to households that fall between 30% and 60% of the area median income.

Waverly Winds developer Enterprise Community Development is expected to acquire and demolish an existing 62-unit affordable housing site to build the new units.

The project includes a relocation plan for tenants who will to transition back to Waverly Winds once it’s completed, according to the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

Enterprise will receive state funding as part of the Rental Housing Works Program, which helps borrowers finance rental units for individuals and families with incomes of 60% and below the area median income.

The state program is one of 13 funding sources for the $31.4 million project.

Comptroller Brooke Lierman said the number of funding sources necessary to build just 68 units shows how difficult it is to expand affordable housing in Maryland and across the country, “whether it’s zoning and community hurdles that developers have to overcome or the funding mechanisms.

“That really demonstrates how challenging it is to meet our collective goal of ensuring that every Marylander can be safely and justly housed,” she said during Wednesday’s BPW meeting.

The project includes several measures that align with the state’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water and protecting the environment, including the use of low-flow shower heads, toilets and faucets, rooftop solar panels, and energy-efficient light fixtures and water heaters.

Gov. Wes Moore said the project demonstrates that the state can increase its affordable housing inventory and be aggressive in its push to add housing options without compromising progress on its climate goals.

America is short millions of housing units, experts say, with different organizations and studies publishing varying estimates.

As of April, Maryland was facing a shortage of 96,000 housing units, according to the governor’s office.

State and local officials have pushed to shed bureaucracy and make the building process less expensive by, among other measures, amending zoning policies to update where different types of housing are allowed.

Moore said Wednesday that since his administration took office in January 2023, the state has disbursed more than $132 million across multiple government programs to expand affordable rental housing in the state by 4,000 units.

Moore said the Waverly Winds project is “very targeted,” benefitting families for whom his administration has pushed to improve housing options.

“It’s going to do a great deal to be able to address the affordability challenges that we know a lot of families continue to face,” the governor said of the project.

This story has been updated.