reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 3 - Down Payment and Settlement Expense Loan Program › Section 4-308 - Homebuyer Education

(a)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a recipient of a Program loan shall complete homebuyer education that meets the requirements of the Department.
(b)    The Department’s homebuyer education requirements shall:
(1)    allow a Program loan recipient to use the online homebuyer education for a HUD–approved product and contact a HUD–approved counseling agency to receive a certificate; and
(2)    enable one political subdivision’s certificate to be used in another political subdivision.
(c)    This subtitle does not alter or preempt the authority of a political subdivision to establish homebuyer education or counseling requirements for a down payment assistance program operated by the political subdivision.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 3 - Down Payment and Settlement Expense Loan Program › Section 4-309 - False Statements or Reports

(a)    (1)    A person may not knowingly make or cause to be made a false statement or report in a document required to be submitted to the Department under an agreement relating to a Program loan.
(2)    A loan applicant may not knowingly make or cause to be made any false statement or report to influence an action of the Department on a Program loan application or a Program loan already made.
(b)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $50,000 or both.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 4 - Rental Housing Program › Section 4-401 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Fund” means the Rental Housing Fund established under § 4–504 of this title.
(c)    “Household of limited income” means one or more individuals who occupy the same residential dwelling unit and whose total household income does not exceed the upper income limits established by the Secretary for the Program under § 4–404 of this subtitle.
(d)    “Office or other commercial space conversion” means the conversion to rental housing of a building that:
(1)    is in a sustainable community as defined in § 6–301 of this article;
(2)    was built more than 30 years before an application is submitted to the Department to finance the conversion;
(3)    consists of at least two floors at or above ground level; and
(4)    was last used as office or other commercial space.
(e)    “Program” means the Rental Housing Program.
(f)    “Rental housing project” means a project eligible for financial assistance under § 4–407 of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 4 - Rental Housing Program › Section 4-403 - Purposes

The purposes of the Program are to:
(1)    stimulate the production and preservation of rental housing;
(2)    increase and improve the supply of decent, safe, and sanitary rental housing at costs that are affordable to households of limited income;
(3)    use available resources efficiently to serve the households that are in need of quality affordable housing opportunities, including families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities or special needs;
(4)    support economic growth and activity by financing, in whole or in part, the construction or substantial rehabilitation of rental housing projects; and
(5)    revitalize sustainable communities, as defined in § 6–301 of this article, through office or other commercial space conversion.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 4 - Rental Housing Program › Section 4-404 - Duties of Department and Secretary

(a)    The Department shall:
(1)    administer the Program;
(2)    adopt policies to ensure that rental housing is made available to households of limited income;
(3)    develop procedures to ensure that the projects receiving financial assistance from the Program are in compliance with applicable occupancy restrictions;
(4)    use federal and State programs to help carry out the Program; and
(5)    encourage the assistance or participation of local political subdivisions.
(b)    The Secretary shall set income guidelines by considering:
(1)    the median income for the area;
(2)    the minimum income needed to afford available standard rental units in the area;
(3)    federal income guidelines, including the requirements of the Federal Low–Income Housing Tax Credit Program; and
(4)    any other relevant factor.
(c)    In administering the Program under this subtitle, the Department may act either directly or through the Administration.
(d)    The Department shall provide written notice and a reasonable opportunity to comment to the chief executive officer or the equivalent officer and the head or president of the legislative body of the political subdivision in which a proposed project is located.
(e)    If the proposed project is located in a municipal corporation, the notice required under subsection (d) of this section shall be sent to the chief executive officer and head or president of the municipal corporation and not to the county.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 4 - Rental Housing Program › Section 4-406 - Regulations

(a)    The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the Program.
(b)    The regulations shall provide for:
(1)    applications for money from the Fund;
(2)    standards of eligibility, terms, and fees;
(3)    charges that shall be imposed on Program loans; and
(4)    the recapture of money of the Fund from a borrower that does not use the money in a timely manner.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 4 - Rental Housing Program › Section 4-407 - Qualifying Projects

(a)    A project qualifies as a rental housing project under this subtitle if:
(1)    its purpose is to acquire, construct, or rehabilitate real property or all or part of a building or improvements that will be occupied by households of limited income as provided in this subsection; and
(2)    a portion of the rental units in the project are set aside for households of lower income for the greater of:
(i)    15 years; or
(ii)    the number of years required by federal law.
(b)    The minimum number of rental units set aside under subsection (a)(2) of this section shall be the greater of:
(1)    the number that bears the same ratio to the whole number of rental units in the project as the amount of the Program loan bears to the whole financing of the undertaking; or
(2)    the number of rental units chosen by the sponsor to satisfy federal occupancy requirements, if the project receives federal low–income housing tax credits or is financed in part with government–issued, federally tax–exempt revenue bonds.
(c)    Rental units restricted for occupancy to meet other federal, State, or local occupancy requirements may be counted toward the minimum number required under this section.
(d)    A rental unit that continues to meet applicable federal occupancy restrictions under subsection (b)(2) of this section shall be deemed to continue to meet the applicable restrictions for purposes of this subtitle.
(e)    A project qualifies as a rental housing project under this subtitle and is not subject to the income restrictions specified in this section if it will:
(1)    effect an office or other commercial space conversion into market rate rental housing; and
(2)    provide substantial economic development to a sustainable community as defined in § 6–301 of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 4 - Rental Housing Program › Section 4-408 - Review of Application for Program Loans

(a)    The Department shall review applications for loans submitted by private or nonprofit sponsors, political subdivisions, or local housing authorities established under Division II of this article on behalf of sponsors of proposed rental housing projects.
(b)    In reviewing an application for a Program loan under this subtitle, the Department shall consider:
(1)    the extent to which households of limited income will be assisted by the proposed project;
(2)    the number and percentage of households of limited income currently living in the community where the project is proposed;
(3)    the quantity, condition, and affordability of residential property in the community where the project is proposed;
(4)    the economic feasibility of the proposed project;
(5)    the degree of local government incentive and support provided to the proposed project, including contribution of land, abatement of taxes or fees, direct or indirect rental subsidies, and grants; and
(6)    any other relevant factors.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 4 - Rental Housing Program › Section 4-409 - Program Loans

(a)    Money in the Fund may be used to make loans to an approved applicant to:
(1)    acquire, construct, or rehabilitate a rental housing project;
(2)    convert an existing building or buildings to a rental housing project; or
(3)    provide operating assistance to reduce the operating costs of a project by depositing the proceeds of the Program loan in an interest bearing account that is under the control of the Department and is used to pay the operating costs, including the principal and interest when due, on any prior mortgage loan securing the project.
(b)    A Program loan may:
(1)    be secured by a mortgage lien;
(2)    be subordinate to other financing;
(3)    have an interest rate as low as zero percent;
(4)    be payable out of surplus cash;
(5)    be a deferred payment loan;
(6)    provide for an equity participation by the Department or contingent interest payable out of surplus cash or net equity; or
(7)    have any other terms the Department may require.
(c)    To facilitate repayment of the Program loan and achieve the purposes of the Program, the Department may modify:
(1)    the interest rate;
(2)    the time or amount of payment; or
(3)    any other term of the Program loan.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 4 - Rental Housing Program › Section 4-410 - Program Loans Secured by Mortgage

(a)    If a Program loan is secured by a mortgage, the Department may:
(1)    enforce the mortgage;
(2)    foreclose on the mortgage and take title to the mortgaged property or take deed in lieu of foreclosure;
(3)    convey title to a purchaser;
(4)    obtain and enforce a deficiency judgment;
(5)    allow assumption of the mortgage; and
(6)    contract with a private mortgage servicer to perform on behalf of the Department any functions a servicer ordinarily performs.
(b)    Without approval or execution by the Board of Public Works, the Department may:
(1)    assign a mortgage for value; or
(2)    convey property after acquisition.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 4 - Rental Housing Program › Section 4-411 - Making False Statements or Reports; Penalty

(a)    (1)    A person may not knowingly make or cause to be made a false statement or report in a document required to be submitted to the Department under an agreement relating to a Program loan.
(2)    A loan applicant may not knowingly make or cause a false statement or report to be made to influence the action of the Department on a Program loan application or to influence action of the Department affecting a Program loan already made.
(b)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $50,000 or both.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 5 - Funds › Section 4-501 - In General

(a)    (1)    Each fund established under this subtitle is a continuing, nonlapsing special fund that is not subject to § 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(2)    The State Treasurer shall hold and the Comptroller shall account for each fund established under this subtitle.
(b)    Money in a fund established under this subtitle shall be invested in the same way as other State money.
(c)    (1)    In the State budget, the State may appropriate to the Rental Housing Programs Fund and the Special Loan Programs Fund all or part of the money received as repayment of principal or payment of interest on a loan made by the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program.
(2)    The appropriation may be increased by budget amendment.
(3)    The amount of repayments appropriated to make loans under the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program may not exceed $12,000,000 annually.
(4)    The State may not appropriate repayment of principal and payment of interest to the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program to the extent that loans expected to be made with the money appropriated would cause the principal amount of loans outstanding to exceed $100,000,000.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 5 - Funds › Section 4-501.1 - Use of Minority Business Enterprises for Brokerage and Investment Management Services

(a)    The Department shall attempt to use to the greatest extent feasible minority business enterprises to provide brokerage and investment management services to the Department for the funds established under this subtitle consistent with minority business purchasing standards applicable to units of State government under the State Finance and Procurement Article and consistent with the fiduciary duties of the Department.
(b)    For purposes of this section, brokerage and investment management services shall include services relating to all allocated asset classes.
(c)    (1)    To assist the Department in achieving the goal described under subsection (a) of this section, the Department shall undertake measures to remove any barriers that limit full participation by minority business enterprises in brokerage and investment management services opportunities afforded by the Department for the funds established under this subtitle.
(2)    The measures undertaken by the Department shall include the use of a wide variety of media, including the Department’s website, to provide notice to a broad and varied range of potential providers about the brokerage and investment management services opportunities afforded by the Department for the funds established under this subtitle.
(d)    In conjunction with the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, the Department shall develop guidelines to assist it in identifying and evaluating qualified minority business enterprises in order to help the Department achieve the objective for greater use of minority business enterprises for brokerage and investment management services for the funds established under this subtitle.
(e)    On or before September 1 each year, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on:
(1)    the identity of the minority business enterprise brokerage and investment management services firms used by the Department in the immediately preceding fiscal year;
(2)    the percentage and dollar value of the assets in the funds established under this subtitle that are under the investment control of minority business enterprise brokerage and investment management services firms in each allocated asset class; and
(3)    the measures the Department undertook in the immediately preceding fiscal year in accordance with subsection (c)(2) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 5 - Funds › Section 4-502 - Homeownership Programs Fund

(a)    In this section, “Fund” means the Homeownership Programs Fund.
(b)    There is a Homeownership Programs Fund.
(c)    As provided in the State budget, the Department shall use the Fund to:
(1)    pay expenses of the Maryland Home Financing Program, including reserves for anticipated future losses directly related to the Maryland Home Financing Program;
(2)    make loans under the Maryland Home Financing Program; and
(3)    make loans and pay expenses of the Down Payment and Settlement Expense Loan Program.
(d)    The Fund consists of:
(1)    money appropriated by the State for homeownership programs, including the Maryland Home Financing Program under Subtitle 8 of this title and the Down Payment and Settlement Expense Loan Program under Subtitle 3 of this title;
(2)    money from the sale of the State’s general obligation bonds;
(3)    repayments or prepayments of principal and payments of interest on loans made under the Maryland Home Financing Program, the Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, the Reverse Equity Program, or the Down Payment and Settlement Expense Loan Program, formerly the Settlement Expense Loan Program;
(4)    money transferred to the Fund in accordance with §§ 4–503(d), 4–504(f), and 4–505(h) of this subtitle and §§ 3–203(i) and 6–310(g) of this article; and
(5)    investment earnings of the Fund.
(e)    Subject to § 7–209 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and except as otherwise provided in the State budget, after the first 8 months of a fiscal year, the Department may transfer unencumbered money in the Fund to any other fund established under this title.
(f)    Money received as repayment of principal or payment of interest on a loan made under the Maryland Home Financing Program that is not appropriated in the State budget may be credited to the Annuity Bond Fund and used to pay the principal of or interest on money borrowed by the State and appropriated to the Maryland Home Financing Program.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 5 - Funds › Section 4-503 - Partnership Rental Housing Fund

(a)    In this section, “Fund” means the Partnership Rental Housing Fund.
(b)    There is a Partnership Rental Housing Fund.
(c)    The Fund consists of:
(1)    money appropriated by the State to the Partnership Rental Housing Program;
(2)    money made available to the Partnership Rental Housing Program from the sale of general obligation or other bonds including the proceeds of the sale of bonds authorized by Chapter 625 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1988 and Chapter 97 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1989;
(3)    investment earnings of the Fund; and
(4)    repayment of loans from the Fund except to the extent any State or federal law governing the proceeds of bonds prohibits the recycling of money.
(d)    Subject to the approval of the Legislative Policy Committee and § 7–209 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, after the first 8 months of a fiscal year, the Department may transfer unencumbered money in the Fund among the Partnership Rental Housing Fund, the Rental Housing Programs Fund, the Homeownership Programs Fund, and the Special Loan Programs Fund, if the Secretary determines that demand is:
(1)    less than anticipated for the fund from which money is being transferred; and
(2)    greater than anticipated for the fund to which money is being transferred.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 5 - Funds › Section 4-504 - Rental Housing Fund

(a)    In this section, “Fund” means the Rental Housing Fund.
(b)    There is a Rental Housing Fund.
(c)    The Department shall use the Fund to operate, make loans, and pay expenses of the Rental Housing Program, including reserves for anticipated future losses directly related to the Rental Housing Program, as provided in the State budget.
(d)    The Department shall administer the Fund either directly or through the Administration.
(e)    The Fund consists of:
(1)    money appropriated by the State for the Rental Housing Program under § 4–402 of this title;
(2)    repayments and prepayments of loans made under the Rental Housing Program and from loan programs under this title that have been repealed;
(3)    money appropriated under § 4–501(c) of this subtitle;
(4)    money transferred to the Fund in accordance with §§ 4–502(e), 4–503(d), and 4–505(h) of this subtitle and § 3–203(i) of this article;
(5)    funds received by the Department or the Administration from the federal government or other public or private sources;
(6)    investment earnings of the Fund; and
(7)    revenue distributed to the Fund under § 2–605.2 of the Tax – General Article.
(f)    (1)    When the Department issues a binding commitment to make a loan, the Department shall withdraw from the Fund an amount equal to the commitment.
(2)    Subject to § 7–209 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and except as otherwise provided in the State budget, after the first 8 months of a fiscal year the Department may transfer unencumbered money in the Fund to any other fund established under this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 5 - Funds › Section 4-506 - Workforce Housing Fund

(a)    In this section, “Fund” means the Workforce Housing Fund.
(b)    There is a Workforce Housing Fund.
(c)    As provided in the State budget, the Department shall use the Fund to operate and provide funds under the Workforce Housing Grant Program.
(d)    The Fund consists of:
(1)    money appropriated by the State;
(2)    repayments of principal and payments of interest on loans made under the Workforce Housing Grant Program;
(3)    amounts paid in connection with transfers of homeownership workforce housing units;
(4)    money transferred to the Fund in accordance with this subtitle; and
(5)    investment earnings of the Fund.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 5 - Funds › Section 4-507 - Housing Counseling and Foreclosure Mediation Fund

(a)    In this section, “Fund” means the Housing Counseling and Foreclosure Mediation Fund.
(b)    There is a Housing Counseling and Foreclosure Mediation Fund.
(c)    The purposes of the Fund are to:
(1)    support nonprofit and government housing counselors and other nonprofit entities with providing:
(i)    legal assistance to homeowners or occupants who are trying to avoid foreclosure or manage foreclosure proceedings; and
(ii)    homebuyer education, housing advice, or financial counseling for homeowners, prospective homeowners, and low– and moderate–income households;
(2)    support the establishment and operation of nonprofit housing counseling entities;
(3)    support efforts by the Department and the Maryland Department of Labor to:
(i)    contact and provide advice and assistance to homeowners or occupants facing financial difficulty or foreclosure; and
(ii)    provide advice and assistance to prospective homeowners; and
(4)    assist in funding the costs of foreclosure mediations provided by the Office of Administrative Hearings under § 7–105.1 of the Real Property Article.
(d)    The Department shall administer the Fund.
(e)    (1)    The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(2)    The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
(f)    The Fund consists of:
(1)    revenue distributed to the Fund under § 7–105.1 of the Real Property Article;
(2)    investment earnings of the Fund;
(3)    money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and
(4)    any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.
(g)    The Fund may be used only for the purposes described in subsection (c) of this section.
(h)    (1)    The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.
(2)    Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be paid into the Fund.
(i)    Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 5 - Funds › Section 4-509 - Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “Anchor institution” means:
(i)    an institution of higher education in the State; or
(ii)    a hospital institution in the State that:
1.    has a group of at least five physicians who are organized as a medical staff for the institution;
2.    maintains facilities to provide, under the supervision of the medical staff, diagnostic and treatment services for two or more unrelated individuals; and
3.    admits or retains the individuals for overnight care.
(3)    “Blighted area” means an area in which a majority of buildings have declined in productivity by reason of obsolescence, depreciation, or other causes to an extent that they no longer justify fundamental repairs and adequate maintenance.
(4)    “Fund” means the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund.
(b)    There is a Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund.
(c)    The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants and loans to anchor institutions for community development projects in blighted areas of the State.
(d)    The Department shall administer the Fund.
(e)    (1)    The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(2)    The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
(f)    The Fund consists of:
(1)    money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;
(2)    interest earnings of the Fund; and
(3)    any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.
(g)    (1)    The Fund may be used only to provide grants and loans to anchor institutions for community development projects in blighted areas of the State.
(2)    To be eligible for a grant or loan, an anchor institution shall provide evidence of matching funds from a private source.
(3)    The Department shall award grants and loans from the Fund on a competitive basis.
(h)    (1)    The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.
(2)    Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.
(i)    Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.
(j)    (1)    For fiscal year 2019, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill or the capital budget bill an appropriation of $4,000,000 to the Fund.
(2)    For fiscal year 2020, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill or the capital budget bill an appropriation of $5,000,000 for the Fund.
(3)    (i)    For fiscal year 2021, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill or the capital budget bill an appropriation of $5,000,000 for the Fund.
(ii)    For fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill or the capital budget bill an appropriation of $10,000,000 for the Fund.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 5 - Funds › Section 4-511 - Continuing the Core Partnership Fund

// EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2024 PER CHAPTERS 639 AND 640 OF 2018 //
(a)    In this section, “Fund” means the Continuing the CORE Partnership Fund.
(b)    There is a Continuing the CORE Partnership Fund.
(c)    The purpose of the Fund is to assist the Department, in conjunction with the Maryland Stadium Authority and Baltimore City, in expeditiously removing blighted property within Baltimore City.
(d)    The Secretary shall administer the Fund.
(e)    (1)    The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(2)    The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
(f)    The Fund consists of:
(1)    revenue distributed to the Fund under subsection (j) of this section;
(2)    money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and
(3)    any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.
(g)    The Fund may be used for:
(1)    the purpose outlined in subsection (c) of this section; and
(2)    administrative expenses.
(h)    (1)    The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.
(2)    Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the General Fund of the State.
(i)    Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.
(j)    (1)    For fiscal year 2020, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $30,000,000 to the Fund.
(2)    For fiscal years 2021 through 2024, the Governor may include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $25,000,000 to the Fund.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 6 - Group Home Financing Program › Section 4-601 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    (1)    “Group home” means a housing facility that offers:
(i)    supportive services or supervisory personnel to individuals with special housing needs who are not related to the group home sponsor; and
(ii)    common, shared, or independent living, dining, kitchen, sanitary, and sleeping facilities.
(2)    “Group home” need not include all of the facilities listed in paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection if it provides emergency and temporary housing for homeless individuals.
(c)    “Group home sponsor” means a person who qualifies for a Program loan under § 4-607 of this subtitle.
(d)    “Person of lower income” means an individual or family whose income does not exceed the upper income limit that the Secretary sets.
(e)    “Program” means the Group Home Financing Program.
(f)    “Program loan” means a loan that the Department makes under this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 6 - Group Home Financing Program › Section 4-603 - Purpose of Program

The purpose of the Program is to provide loans to group home sponsors to finance or refinance the costs of acquiring, constructing, or modifying buildings as group homes for persons of lower income, elderly households, individuals with disabilities, and other residents of the State with special housing needs.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 6 - Group Home Financing Program › Section 4-604 - Powers of Department

The Department may establish:
(1)    eligibility standards for group home sponsors;
(2)    Program loan fees and charges;
(3)    maximum Program loans for group homes based on their size, use, and location; and
(4)    a process for selecting group homes to be financed under the Program that promotes statewide distribution of money.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 6 - Group Home Financing Program › Section 4-605 - Duties of Department

The Department shall:
(1)    administer the Program;
(2)    adopt policies that encourage the establishment of group homes for persons of lower income throughout the State;
(3)    attach to a purchase, sale, or lease of a group home or land for a group home the terms needed to carry out the Program;
(4)    establish guidelines for monitoring the group homes to ensure that, aside from dwelling room for supervisory individuals and their families, group homes receiving financing under the Program are occupied in substantial part by persons of lower income; and
(5)    establish guidelines to determine the ability of a group home sponsor to manage a group home, provide necessary services, and repay the Program loan.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 6 - Group Home Financing Program › Section 4-607 - Group Home Sponsor

To qualify for a Program loan, a group home sponsor shall own and operate a group home and be:
(1)    a nonprofit organization;
(2)    an individual; or
(3)    a limited partnership if:
(i)    1.    each general partner qualifies as a nonprofit organization; or
2.    each general partner is a wholly owned subsidiary of a nonprofit organization;
(ii)    the limited partnership is formed to undertake a group home project that is totally or partly eligible for a federal low income housing tax credit program or any other federal program or incentive; and
(iii)    a nonprofit organization manages the project or receives the net cash flow from or the residual sale proceeds on sale of the group home.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 6 - Group Home Financing Program › Section 4-609 - Review Process of Loan Applications

In reviewing an application for a Program loan, the Department shall consider:
(1)    the economic feasibility of the group home; and
(2)    the ability of the group home sponsor to manage the group home, provide necessary services, and repay the Program loan.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 6 - Group Home Financing Program › Section 4-610 - Program Loans

(a)    (1)    A Program loan shall be secured by a mortgage lien and may include the terms that the Department considers necessary to make the group home affordable to persons of lower income.
(2)    In exceptional circumstances, the terms may include:
(i)    deferred payment of principal and interest; and
(ii)    interest rates as low as 0%.
(b)    Each loan shall require that all unpaid principal and accrued interest, including principal or interest that was deferred, be paid at the earliest of:
(1)    a stated date, which may be the maturity date of the Program loan;
(2)    the date of the sale or other transfer of the group home or a controlling interest in the group home; and
(3)    the date when the project ceases to be used as a group home.
(c)    (1)    Each Program loan shall provide for:
(i)    a limit on the return on equity allowed to a group home sponsor;
(ii)    equity participation between the Department and the group home sponsor; or
(iii)    an amount of accrued and deferred interest that the Department finds can reasonably be expected to be paid from profit resulting from the sale of the group home.
(2)    The Department may forgive any accrued and deferred interest described in paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection that exceeds the profit from the sale of the group home.
(3)    The Department may allow the group home sponsor to earn a reasonable return before the group home sponsor pays accrued and deferred interest.
(d)    If a Program loan is in default or is at risk of being in default, the Department may modify the interest rate, the time or amount of payment, or any other term to facilitate repayment and achieve the purposes of the Program.
(e)    A Program loan may finance:
(1)    the site acquisition, construction costs, and permanent mortgage for a group home;
(2)    the purchase of an existing building to provide a group home;
(3)    a modification to a building purchased with a Program loan, if the modification improves, repairs, renovates, or rehabilitates the building to:
(i)    make it suitable as a group home; or
(ii)    eliminate housing, building, fire, safety, health, or other code violations;
(4)    the refinancing of an existing mortgage loan on a group home;
(5)    closing costs associated with the construction, purchase, or refinance of a group home;
(6)    engineering, legal, title, survey, or architectural fees associated with financing real property development; and
(7)    other development costs that the Department considers reasonable.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 6 - Group Home Financing Program › Section 4-611 - Nonresidential Uses of Group Home

Subject to the approval and permitting procedures of the local zoning authority, a group home that houses four or more individuals may provide for nonresidential uses that:
(1)    are in a minor part of the building;
(2)    conform with local zoning requirements; and
(3)    although not directly related to the housing facility, offer goods or services for persons of lower income or other disadvantaged individuals.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 6 - Group Home Financing Program › Section 4-612 - False Statements or Reports

(a)    (1)    A person may not knowingly make or cause to be made a false statement or report in a document required to be submitted to the Department under an agreement relating to a Program loan.
(2)    A loan applicant may not knowingly make or cause to be made any false statement or report to influence the Department’s action on a Program loan application or a Program loan already made.
(b)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $50,000 or both.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 7 - Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program and Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program › Section 4-701 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Child care center” has the meaning stated in § 9.5–401(c) of the Education Article.
(c)    “Family of limited income” means a family that meets the qualifications under § 4–707 of this subtitle.
(d)    “Fund” means the Special Loan Programs Fund under Subtitle 5 of this title.
(e)    “Grant Program” means the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program.
(f)    (1)    “Lead hazard reduction activity” means measures to reduce or eliminate lead–based paint hazards in accordance with State or federal standards.
(2)    “Lead hazard reduction activity” includes:
(i)    removing lead–based paint and lead–contaminated dust, containing or encapsulating lead–based paint, and replacing or removing surfaces or fixtures painted with lead–based paint;
(ii)    meeting the risk reduction standards under § 6–815 of the Environment Article or the modified risk reduction standards under § 6–817 of the Environment Article;
(iii)    temporarily reducing human exposure or probable exposure to lead–based paint hazards, including specialized cleaning, repairing, maintaining, painting, temporarily containing, and ongoing monitoring of lead–based paint hazards or potential hazards;
(iv)    associated testing, preparing, cleaning, protecting workers, disposing, and post–lead hazard reduction clearance testing; and
(v)    testing an innovative or unproven method of lead hazard reduction.
(g)    “Loan Program” means the Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 7 - Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program and Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program › Section 4-702 - Findings

The General Assembly finds that:
(1)    lead paint is present in a large percentage of residential properties in the State, particularly residential rental properties constructed before 1950;
(2)    lead paint on the friction surfaces of windows is a leading cause of lead poisoning;
(3)    lead poisoning harms the health and well-being of children and pregnant women and causes substantial long-term public costs for medical expenses and additional education; and
(4)    reduction or elimination of lead in the environment will reduce:
(i)    the risk of lead poisoning of children and pregnant women;
(ii)    the incidence of learning disabilities and behavioral problems in children who live in older housing; and
(iii)    the cost of publicly financed medical care.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 7 - Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program and Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program › Section 4-703 - Purpose of Grant Program and Loan Program -- in General

The purpose of the Grant Program and the Loan Program is to make grants and loans to owners of residential property or child care centers for financing lead hazard reduction activities, especially replacing windows containing lead-based paint on friction surfaces.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 7 - Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program and Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program › Section 4-704 - Powers of Department

(a)    The Department may establish:
(1)    loan fees and charges;
(2)    maximum loan or grant amounts for lead hazard reduction activities; and
(3)    guidelines that give financing priority to lead hazard reduction activities that include replacing windows containing lead-based paint on friction surfaces.
(b)    (1)    On application of a political subdivision, the Department may provide money from the Fund allocated to the Grant Program or the Loan Program to the political subdivision to make a grant or loan, on behalf of the Department, to an eligible owner of residential property or a child care center in the political subdivision.
(2)    The Department may limit the amount of money that a political subdivision may request under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 7 - Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program and Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program › Section 4-705 - Duties of Department

The Department shall:
(1)    administer the Grant Program and the Loan Program; and
(2)    establish eligibility guidelines for grants and loans.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 7 - Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program and Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program › Section 4-707 - Family of Limited Income

(a)    An individual or family, including an elderly household, qualifies as a family of limited income if the income of the individual or family does not exceed the limits that the Secretary sets.
(b)    The factors that the Secretary shall consider in setting limits under subsection (a) of this section shall include:
(1)    the family income deemed available for housing;
(2)    the size of the family;
(3)    the ability of the family to compete successfully in the private housing market;
(4)    the cost and condition of available housing; and
(5)    relevant standards and definitions under federal and State housing programs.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 7 - Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program and Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program › Section 4-708 - Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program

(a)    There is a Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program.
(b)    The Department may make a grant solely to finance a lead hazard reduction activity that:
(1)    is a program that tests innovative or unproven methods of lead hazard reduction; or
(2)    is in a residential property in an area designated by the Department to have a concentration of:
(i)    families of limited income; and
(ii)    1.    residential property constructed before 1950; or
2.    children diagnosed with elevated blood lead, which is a quantity of lead in their blood, expressed in micrograms per deciliter (�g/dl), that exceeds a specified threshold level.
(c)    (1)    The Department may establish standards to determine the eligibility of a lead hazard reduction activity for a grant under the Grant Program.
(2)    The standards may call for consideration of:
(i)    the extent to which the lead hazard reduction activity benefits families of limited income;
(ii)    the need and circumstances of the owner–occupants or tenants of the residential property in which the proposed lead hazard reduction activity will be undertaken; and
(iii)    whether the grant finances research into innovative or unproven methods for lead hazard reduction.
(d)    In determining whether to make a grant under the Grant Program, the Department shall require that the owner of the residential property or child care center submit evidence that the owner cannot undertake lead hazard reduction activity without a grant.
(e)    The Department may require that all or part of a grant under the Grant Program be repaid when conditions specified by the Department occur.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 7 - Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program and Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program › Section 4-709 - Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program

(a)    There is a Lead Hazard Reduction Loan Program.
(b)    The Department may make a loan to finance lead hazard reduction activity.
(c)    A loan under the Loan Program:
(1)    may be secured by a mortgage lien or other security interest acceptable to the Department; and
(2)    may include terms that the Department considers appropriate.
(d)    For a loan made under the Loan Program, the Department may:
(1)    defer payment of principal and interest; and
(2)    establish interest rates as low as 0%.
(e)    Each loan shall require repayment of all unpaid principal and payment of accrued interest, including deferred interest, but the loan terms may allow the Department to forgive all or part of the principal and interest.
(f)    If a loan is in default, the Department may modify the interest rate, the time or amount of payment, or any other term to facilitate repayment and achieve the purposes of the Loan Program.