reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 25 - Qualified Workforce Housing Tax Credit › Section 4-2505 - Reports

On or before December 31 each year, the Secretary shall report, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly:
(1)    the number of qualified workforce housing projects that received a tax credit allocation during the year;
(2)    the number of housing units supported by each qualified workforce housing project that received a tax credit allocation during the year;
(3)    a description of each qualified workforce housing project that includes:
(i)    the geographic location of the project;
(ii)    demographic information on and income levels of the residents intended to be served by the project; and
(iii)    the rent that is authorized to be charged for a unit in the project; and
(4)    housing market and demographic information that demonstrates how each qualified workforce housing project is addressing the need for workforce housing within the communities that the project is intended to serve.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 26 - Local Housing Grant Program for Homeless Veterans and Survivors of Domestic Violence › Section 4-2602 - Established; Purpose

(a)    There is a Local Housing Grant Program for Homeless Veterans and Survivors of Domestic Violence.
(b)    The purpose of the Program is to provide grants for housing voucher funds to counties for use to house homeless veterans and survivors of domestic violence.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 26 - Local Housing Grant Program for Homeless Veterans and Survivors of Domestic Violence › Section 4-2603 - Duties of Department

The Department shall:
(1)    distribute grants to counties that may apply under the Program for rapid or permanent housing voucher funds for homeless veterans and survivors of domestic violence;
(2)    establish procedures for receiving and evaluating grant applications from counties under the Program;
(3)    monitor the operation of the grants; and
(4)    adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 26 - Local Housing Grant Program for Homeless Veterans and Survivors of Domestic Violence › Section 4-2604 - Funding

(a)    For fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor may include funding in the annual budget for the Program.
(b)    Money expended from the Program is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated by the Department to address homelessness.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 26 - Local Housing Grant Program for Homeless Veterans and Survivors of Domestic Violence › Section 4-2605 - Preferences

The Department may establish preferences under the Program for counties that:
(1)    enact an ordinance that prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of source of income;
(2)    adopt a Housing First policy, as defined by the Department; or
(3)    provide an additional 25% county dedicated funding or voucher match.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 27 - Unaccompanied Minors in Need of Shelter and Supportive Services › Section 4-2701 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    (1)    “Service provider” means a public or private nonprofit organization that provides shelter and supportive services to unaccompanied minors in need of shelter.
(2)    “Service provider” includes a host home program.
(c)    “Supportive services” means interventions, services, or resources necessary to assist unaccompanied minors in need of shelter in acquiring or maintaining:
(1)    stable housing;
(2)    permanent connections, including ongoing attachments to families, communities, schools, and other positive social networks;
(3)    education and employment, including high performance in completion of education and training activities, especially for younger youth, and starting and maintaining adequate and stable employment, particularly for older youth; or
(4)    social and emotional well–being, including the development of key competencies, attitudes, and behaviors that equip a young person to succeed across multiple domains of daily life, including school, work, relationships, and community.
(d)    “Unaccompanied minor in need of shelter” means a minor:
(1)    who is not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian; and
(2)    (i)    who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence as defined in the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act; or
(ii)    whose status or circumstances indicate a significant danger of experiencing homelessness in the near future.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 27 - Unaccompanied Minors in Need of Shelter and Supportive Services › Section 4-2702 - Consent by Unaccompanied Minor in Need of Shelter -- Minor's Child

(a)    An unaccompanied minor in need of shelter may consent to shelter and supportive services if the service provider reasonably believes that:
(1)    the unaccompanied minor understands the significant benefits, responsibilities, risks, and limits of the shelter and services and can communicate an informed consent;
(2)    the unaccompanied minor understands the requirements and rules of the shelter and services; and
(3)    the shelter and services are necessary to ensure the unaccompanied minor’s safety and well–being.
(b)    An unaccompanied minor in need of shelter who is a parent may consent to shelter and supportive services for the minor’s child.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 27 - Unaccompanied Minors in Need of Shelter and Supportive Services › Section 4-2703 - Requirements on Service Provider -- When Shelter Not Available

(a)    (1)    Before providing shelter and supportive services to an unaccompanied minor in need of shelter, a service provider shall:
(i)    register with the Department;
(ii)    develop and implement a procedure to screen each staff member who works with minors, including through a State and national criminal history records check or a private agency background check conducted in accordance with § 4–2708 of this subtitle; and
(iii)    obtain written consent from the unaccompanied minor in need of shelter.
(2)    The written consent from the unaccompanied minor in need of shelter shall state the minor’s:
(i)    age;
(ii)    guardianship status, if known; and
(iii)    living situation.
(b)    A service provider may not provide shelter to a minor if the service provider has knowledge that the minor:
(1)    knowingly provided false information in the written consent required under subsection (a) of this section; or
(2)    does not meet the definition of an unaccompanied minor in need of shelter under this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 27 - Unaccompanied Minors in Need of Shelter and Supportive Services › Section 4-2704 - Notifications by Service Provider -- Documentation of Efforts

(a)    After providing shelter to an unaccompanied minor in need of shelter, a service provider shall:
(1)    (i)    as soon as possible and within 72 hours, contact a parent, a guardian, or an adult relative of the minor; or
(ii)    if the service provider suspects abuse or neglect by the parent, guardian, or adult relative of the minor, immediately notify the appropriate authorities of the suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with § 5–704 of the Family Law Article; and
(2)    if the service provider suspects any abuse or neglect of the unaccompanied minor in need of shelter, immediately notify the appropriate authorities of the suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with § 5–704 of the Family Law Article.
(b)    (1)    If a service provider is unable to contact, and does not suspect abuse by, a parent, a guardian, or an adult relative of an unaccompanied minor in need of shelter, the service provider shall:
(i)    notify the minor of the requirements of this section; and
(ii)    after providing the notice required under item (i) of this paragraph, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to determine if the minor has been reported missing by a legal guardian.
(2)    If a service provider receives information indicating that an unaccompanied minor in need of shelter is missing from foster care, the service provider shall contact the local department of social services.
(3)    If a service provider receives information indicating that an unaccompanied minor in need of shelter has been reported missing by a legal guardian other than the local department of social services, the service provider shall contact local law enforcement.
(c)    A service provider shall document efforts and communications made under subsection (b) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 27 - Unaccompanied Minors in Need of Shelter and Supportive Services › Section 4-2705 - Limitations on Civil or Criminal Liability for Reasonable Determinations

A service provider that provides shelter and supportive services to an unaccompanied minor in need of shelter in accordance with this subtitle is not civilly or criminally liable or subject to a disciplinary penalty based solely on the provider’s reasonable determination to provide the shelter and supportive services.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 27 - Unaccompanied Minors in Need of Shelter and Supportive Services › Section 4-2706 - Registry of Service Providers

The Department shall establish and maintain a registry of all service providers that register under § 4–2703 of this subtitle to provide shelter and supportive services to unaccompanied minors in need of shelter.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 27 - Unaccompanied Minors in Need of Shelter and Supportive Services › Section 4-2707 - Implementing Regulations -- Requirements

(a)    The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.
(b)    The regulations shall include:
(1)    a prohibition against a service provider knowingly hiring or retaining an individual who has been convicted of a crime involving:
(i)    an offense under § 3–307 or § 3–308 of the Criminal Law Article or an offense under the laws of another state that would constitute a violation of § 3–307 or § 3–308 of the Criminal Law Article if committed in the State;
(ii)    child abuse under § 3–601 of the Criminal Law Article or an offense under the laws of another state that would constitute child abuse under § 3–601 of the Criminal Law Article if committed in the State;
(iii)    child sexual abuse under § 3–602 of the Criminal Law Article or an offense under the laws of another state that would constitute child sexual abuse under § 3–602 of the Criminal Law Article if committed in the State;
(iv)    child neglect under § 3–602.1 of the Criminal Law Article or an offense under the laws of another state that would constitute neglect under § 3–602.1 of the Criminal Law Article if committed in the State; or
(v)    a crime of violence as defined in § 14–101 of the Criminal Law Article or an offense under the laws of another state that would be a violation of § 14–101 of the Criminal Law Article if committed in the State; and
(2)    a requirement that each service provider provide training for each staff member who serves minors regarding mandatory reporting of suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with § 4–2704 of this subtitle and § 5–704 of the Family Law Article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 27 - Unaccompanied Minors in Need of Shelter and Supportive Services › Section 4-2708 - Central Repository for Checking Records -- Background Checks

(a)    In this section, “Central Repository” means the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
(b)    For each staff member who works with unaccompanied minors, a service provider shall:
(1)    apply to the Central Repository for a State and national criminal history records check; or
(2)    request a private agency to conduct a background check.
(c)    (1)    As part of an application to the Central Repository for a State and national criminal history records check, the service provider shall submit to the Central Repository:
(i)    one complete set of legible fingerprints of the staff member taken in a format approved by the Director of the Central Repository and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
(ii)    the fee authorized under § 10–221(b)(7) of the Criminal Procedure Article for access to State criminal history records; and
(iii)    the mandatory processing fee required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records check.
(2)    In accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the Criminal Procedure Article, the Central Repository shall forward to the service provider and the staff member the criminal history record information of the staff member.
(3)    Information obtained from the Central Repository under this subsection:
(i)    is confidential and may not be redisseminated; and
(ii)    may be used only for the screening purposes authorized by this subtitle.
(4)    A person who is the subject of a criminal history records check under this subsection may contest the contents of the printed statement issued by the Central Repository as provided in §10–223 of the Criminal Procedure Article.
(d)    If a service provider requests a private agency to conduct a background check:
(1)    the private agency shall:
(i)    conduct a background check in each state where the service provider knows or has reason to believe the staff member worked or resided during the past 7 years; and
(ii)    issue a statement of the private agency’s findings to:
1.    on request, the staff member; and
2.    the service provider; and
(2)    the staff member shall have an opportunity to contest the findings of the private agency.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 28 - Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program › Section 4-2801 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Affordable” means that monthly housing costs do not exceed 30% of a household’s income, where the household’s income does not exceed 80% of the statewide median income for a household of like size.
(c)    “Appraisal gap” means the amount by which the total cost of eligible construction expenses exceeds the contract sales price of a qualified property when it is initially sold to an owner–occupant.
(d)    (1)    “Eligible construction expenses” means any amount that is expended on the construction or substantial rehabilitation of a qualified property.
(2)    “Eligible construction expenses” includes any amount expended on:
(i)    acquisition costs;
(ii)    roof repair and replacement;
(iii)    chimney repair and lining;
(iv)    internal and external doors;
(v)    windows;
(vi)    masonry;
(vii)    floor joists;
(viii)    finished flooring;
(ix)    framing;
(x)    structural repairs;
(xi)    foundation repairs;
(xii)    plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems;
(xiii)    architectural and engineering consulting fees;
(xiv)    tools and equipment rental; and
(xv)    new construction.
(e)    “Financial assistance” does not include:
(1)    loans; or
(2)    other instruments that would create debt through property liens on qualified property under this subtitle.
(f)    “Fund” means the Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Fund established under this subtitle.
(g)    “Qualified project” means the construction or substantial rehabilitation of a qualified property if the eligible construction expenses do not exceed $500,000.
(h)    “Qualified property” means residential real property that is:
(1)    newly constructed or a formerly vacant structure that has been substantially rehabilitated;
(2)    located in:
(i)    a low–income census tract as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
(ii)    an area designated as a sustainable community under § 6–205 of this article; and
(3)    constructed or rehabilitated with the purpose of being sold to an owner–occupant at an affordable sales price.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 28 - Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program › Section 4-2802 - Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program -- Purpose

(a)    There is an Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program in the Department.
(b)    The purpose of the Program is to make financial assistance available to affordable housing developers working in low–income census tracts in order to help close appraisal gaps that occur in historically redlined neighborhoods.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 28 - Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program › Section 4-2803 - Financial Assistance to Cover Appraisal Gap -- Amount -- Allocation -- Assistance Additional

(a)    In the fiscal year in which a qualified project is completed, an individual or business entity may apply to the Department for financial assistance to cover the appraisal gap for the project in accordance with this section.
(b)    The amount of the financial assistance provided under subsection (a) of this section shall not exceed 35% of the lesser of:
(1)    the total cost of eligible construction expenses; or
(2)    80% of the national median sale price for new homes on the date of sale, as determined by the most recent census data available.
(c)    Financial assistance provided under this section may be allocated among the partners, members, or shareholders of a business entity in any manner agreed to by those persons in writing.
(d)    Financial assistance provided under this section may be used in conjunction with other State, federal, or local funding sources.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 28 - Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program › Section 4-2804 - Application for Additional Financial Assistance -- Form and Information -- Timely Approval of Qualifying Applications

(a)    Subject to § 4–2805 of this subtitle, on application by an individual or business entity that pays or incurs eligible construction expenses, the Department shall provide financial assistance to the individual or business entity in the amount determined under § 4–2803 of this subtitle.
(b)    The application shall be in the form and shall contain any information that the Department requires by regulation.
(c)    The Department shall approve all applications that qualify for financial assistance under this subtitle in a timely manner.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 28 - Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program › Section 4-2805 - Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Fund -- Limit on Aggregated Financial Assistance -- Purpose -- Annual Reports

(a)    There is an Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Fund.
(b)    (1)    The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(2)    The money in the Fund shall be invested and reinvested by the State Treasurer, and interest and earnings shall be credited to the General Fund of the State.
(c)    (1)    (i)    Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, for any fiscal year, the Department may not provide financial assistance under this subtitle in the aggregate totaling more than the amount appropriated for the Fund for that fiscal year in the State budget as approved by the General Assembly.
(ii)    If the aggregate financial assistance amounts provided in a fiscal year total less than the amount appropriated for the Fund for that fiscal year, any excess amount shall remain in the Fund and may be allocated for the next fiscal year.
(iii)    For any fiscal year, if funds are transferred from the Fund under the authority of any provision of law other than subsection (d) of this section, the maximum financial assistance amounts in the aggregate that the Department may provide shall be reduced by the amount transferred.
(2)    Notwithstanding the provisions of § 7–213 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, the Governor may not reduce an appropriation for the Fund in the State budget as approved by the General Assembly.
(d)    Money in the Fund may be used only for the purpose of providing financial assistance in accordance with this subtitle.
(e)    On or before January 1 each year, each county shall submit a report to the Department that details the targeted areas for homeownership that would qualify for financial assistance provided under this subtitle.
(f)    On or before March 1 each year, the Department shall submit a report, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and the House Committee on Ways and Means on the number of funds deployed to census tracts with a majority racial minority population.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 4 - Division of Development Finance › Subtitle 28 - Appraisal Gap From Historic Redlining Financial Assistance Program › Section 4-2806 - Adoption of Applicable Regulations

The Department shall adopt:
(1)    regulations to specify criteria for the application for and approval of the financial assistance under this subtitle; and
(2)    any other regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 1 - Division Established › Section 6-102 - Duties of Division or Department

(a)    The Division of Neighborhood Revitalization shall administer commercial and mixed–use revitalization programs to encourage physical and organizational improvements to business areas.
(b)    To carry out commercial and mixed–use revitalization programs, the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization shall administer State and federal grants and loans and other financial assistance to:
(1)    political subdivisions, local public agencies, nonprofit organizations, neighborhood or community organizations, or private parties; or
(2)    corporations or foundations whose net earnings are invested to foster, encourage, help, or carry out community assistance activities, projects, or programs.
(c)    The Department may:
(1)    charge and collect from a project applicant or recipient of financial assistance under this title:
(i)    origination, application, and processing fees; and
(ii)    any other charges, fees, or reimbursements incidental to a project application or providing financial assistance; and
(2)    include the fees and charges listed in this section in the amount of financial assistance.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 1 - Division Established › Section 6-103 - Commercial and Mixed-Use Revitalization Programs

(a)    A commercial or mixed-use revitalization program provides assistance for downtown or business area commercial management, promotion, and revitalization.
(b)    Assistance may be in an area such as:
(1)    market surveying, grantsmanship, organization, economic development, design, or similar services; or
(2)    facilitating establishment of a commercial district management authority.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 1 - Division Established › Section 6-104 - Sustainable Communities

(a)    (1)    The General Assembly finds that the State must have sustainable communities in order to:
(i)    preserve and protect the State’s natural resources; and
(ii)    achieve the State’s economic growth, resource protection, and planning policy in § 5–7A–01 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(2)    The General Assembly finds that sustainable communities are places where public and private investments and partnerships achieve:
(i)    development of a healthy local economy;
(ii)    protection and appreciation of historic and cultural resources;
(iii)    a mix of land uses;
(iv)    affordable and sustainable housing and job options; and
(v)    growth and development practices that protect the environment and conserve air, water, and energy resources, encourage walkability and recreational opportunities, and, where available, create access to transit.
(b)    It is the intent of the General Assembly that the community legacy and neighborhood business development programs:
(1)    be used to create, enhance, support, and revitalize sustainable communities across the State; and
(2)    be coordinated with other State programs, such as the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit Program established under Title 5A, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, in order to maximize the State’s investment in sustainable communities.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 2 - Community Legacy Program › Section 6-202 - Community Legacy Program

(a)    There is a Community Legacy Program.
(b)    The Department shall administer the Program.
(c)    The purposes of the Program are to:
(1)    preserve existing communities as desirable places to live and conduct business to reduce outward pressure for sprawl development; and
(2)    provide financial assistance to sponsors or their designees to develop sustainable community plans or community legacy projects.
(d)    The Program shall encourage partnerships among the federal government, the State government, political subdivisions, and community development organizations to develop and implement sustainable community plans and community legacy projects.
(e)    A sustainable community plan or a community legacy project may be sponsored by a political subdivision, a group of political subdivisions, a community development organization, or a community development financial institution.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 2 - Community Legacy Program › Section 6-203 - Community Development Organization

A corporation, foundation, or other legal entity qualifies as a community development organization if:
(1)    its purpose is to improve the physical, economic, or social environment of the area where it operates; and
(2)    no part of its net earnings inures to the benefit of a private shareholder or individual holding an interest in that entity.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 2 - Community Legacy Program › Section 6-204 - Applications for Sustainable Community Plans

(a)    A sponsor may file one or more applications in accordance with the schedules that the Department establishes.
(b)    An application shall set forth:
(1)    a description of one or more sustainable communities where the sponsor proposes to develop a sustainable community plan or to carry out a community legacy project using the standards listed in § 6–205 of this subtitle;
(2)    a detailed description of the proposed sustainable community plan or proposed community legacy project;
(3)    the amount and type of financial assistance sought;
(4)    the ability of the sponsor to carry out the proposed sustainable community plan or community legacy project;
(5)    the strength and quality of partnerships created among the federal government, the State government, political subdivisions, community development organizations, and other private organizations to develop the sustainable community plan or carry out the community legacy project, including:
(i)    financial support;
(ii)    dedication of staff and resources; and
(iii)    commitment to and development of local smart growth policies;
(6)    proposed benchmarks for evaluating whether the proposed sustainable community plan or community legacy project results in a desired outcome for a proposed sustainable community, such as:
(i)    stabilizing it;
(ii)    reversing its social, economic, or physical decline; or
(iii)    encouraging growth in it; and
(7)    the process used to seek and receive public input on the proposed sustainable community plan or community legacy project, including the nature and extent of public support or opposition.
(c)    (1)    The Smart Growth Subcabinet, on the recommendation of the Secretary, may designate an area as a sustainable community.
(2)    If the Smart Growth Subcabinet has not acted within 90 days of a recommendation from the Secretary, the Secretary may designate an area as a sustainable community without the approval of the Smart Growth Subcabinet.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 2 - Community Legacy Program › Section 6-205 - Designation of Sustainable Community

(a)    The Smart Growth Subcabinet, on the recommendation of the Secretary, may designate an area as a sustainable community if the sponsor demonstrates that past and current trends in homeownership, property values, commercial and residential vacancy, and business or housing investment show a need for reinvestment in the area and if:
(1)    entities in the community, such as local governments, employers, educational institutions, civic organizations, community organizations, or cultural organizations, support the proposed sustainable community plan and have pledged resources to develop or implement it;
(2)    the proposed sustainable community plan addresses the need for reinvestment in the area and will enhance the area, and give individuals of different incomes a range of housing options, employment opportunities, and other amenities;
(3)    a community in the proposed area is culturally or historically significant;
(4)    the proposed area is near a town center or a transportation center;
(5)    the proposed sustainable community plan is consistent with and complements other existing or proposed projects for housing, commercial or community development, education, historic preservation, neighborhood revitalization, transportation, or other things significant to the comprehensive enhancement of the community; or
(6)    there is a demonstrated need for financing assistance for small businesses, nonprofit organizations, or microenterprises.
(b)    (1)    To maintain a sustainable community designation:
(i)    every 5 years a sponsor shall file an updated plan and application with the Department; and
(ii)    the Secretary shall make designation recommendations for approval by the Smart Growth Subcabinet under § 6–204 of this subtitle.
(2)    The Department shall convene an interagency review team from the agencies of the Smart Growth Subcabinet to:
(i)    review applications and plans;
(ii)    provide assistance and guidance to applicants; and
(iii)    make recommendations to the Secretary.
(3)    The Smart Growth Subcabinet may redesignate an area as a sustainable community taking into consideration the factors in subsection (a) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 2 - Community Legacy Program › Section 6-206 - Action on Application

(a)    The Department shall:
(1)    review each application and may request more information from the sponsor;
(2)    accept public input on each application;
(3)    submit each application to appropriate State units and appropriate members of the Smart Growth Subcabinet;
(4)    consider any recommendation a State unit or member of the Smart Growth Subcabinet makes;
(5)    consider geographic balance when reviewing applications; and
(6)    give priority in awarding financial assistance to applicants that are likely to repay the financial assistance to a community development financial institution or to the Community Legacy Financial Assistance Fund.
(b)    (1)    The Department shall provide written notice to the political subdivision in which the proposed project is located.
(2)    Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, the Department may not approve an application unless the political subdivision in which the proposed project is located approves the application by:
(i)    resolution; or
(ii)    letter, delivered to the Department by the political subdivision’s authorized designee, expressing support for the plan or project.
(3)    If an application affects a sustainable community or an eligible opportunity zone entirely within a municipal corporation, the approval must come from the municipal corporation rather than the surrounding county.
(4)    If an application affects a sustainable community or an eligible opportunity zone within more than one political subdivision, each political subdivision must approve it by:
(i)    resolution; or
(ii)    letter, delivered to the Department by the political subdivision’s authorized designee, expressing support for the plan or project.
(5)    If the Department does not receive notice of approval or denial of an application from the affected jurisdictions within 45 days after notice of the proposed project is given in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Department may approve the application.
(c)    The Secretary shall award financial assistance to a sponsor or a sponsor’s designee:
(1)    in the amount and of the type that the Secretary determines; and
(2)    under the terms of a community legacy agreement.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 2 - Community Legacy Program › Section 6-207 - Community Legacy Agreement

(a)    The Department and the sponsor shall execute a community legacy agreement.
(b)    The sponsor shall comply with the terms of the community legacy agreement and any regulations the Department adopts to carry out this subtitle.
(c)    Not more than 15% of the total financial assistance that the Program provides may be used for noncapital expenditures.
(d)    The Department may exercise any remedy provided under the community legacy agreement or by law if a sponsor:
(1)    violates any provision of the community legacy agreement; or
(2)    ceases to meet the requirements of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 2 - Community Legacy Program › Section 6-208 - Powers of Department to Implement Program

(a)    Subject to this section, the Department has the powers necessary or desirable to implement the Program.
(b)    (1)    The Department may determine the terms and conditions for financial assistance awarded under § 6–206(c) of this subtitle.
(2)    Financial assistance may be secured by a mortgage, lien, or security interest that is superior to or subordinate to other mortgages, liens, or security interests.
(3)    The Department may establish time limits for the use of financial assistance.
(c)    (1)    The Department may enforce the terms and conditions of the financial assistance given under this subtitle.
(2)    Notwithstanding any other law, if a loan or grant is secured by a first or subordinate mortgage or other lien, the Department may:
(i)    begin an action to protect or enforce any right given by law, a contract, or other agreement;
(ii)    foreclose on property;
(iii)    purchase property at any foreclosure or other sale, or acquire or take possession of the property through conveyance in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise, and convey property after acquiring it;
(iv)    settle or compromise any debt or obligation owed to the Department;
(v)    pay the principal of and interest on any obligation incurred in connection with the property, and dispose of or otherwise deal with the property to protect the interests of the Program; or
(vi)    release or sell any mortgage, obligation, or property that the Department holds at public or private sale, with or without public bidding.
(d)    (1)    The Department may contract with any person, including a private property manager, mortgage servicer, architect, engineer, or other property consultant, or with any governmental unit, for property or services necessary to operate the Program or to implement community legacy projects.
(2)    The Department may make agreements with other governmental units to establish partnerships to carry out the Program.
(3)    The Department may contract for and accept any grant, contribution, or loan of money, property, or other aid from the federal government and may do all things consistent with this subtitle to qualify for the aid or participate in or administer a federal program.
(e)    In connection with loans that it makes, the Department may:
(1)    require and obtain appraisals, credit information, and other pertinent information; and
(2)    charge interest.
(f)    When it is consistent with the best interests of the State to do so, the Department may consent to the modification of any provision of any loan or other financial assistance.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 2 - Community Legacy Program › Section 6-209 - Neighborhood Intervention Projects

(a)    The purposes of a neighborhood intervention project are to provide financial assistance for:
(1)    buying properties that need rehabilitation and redeveloping the properties through rehabilitation, demolition, reconstruction, or re–use; or
(2)    demolishing property improvements and preparing property for revitalization, redevelopment, or re–use.
(b)    To be eligible for financial assistance for a neighborhood intervention project, an applicant shall be:
(1)    a political subdivision; or
(2)    a community development finance institution.
(c)    To be eligible for financial assistance, the applicant must provide evidence at the time of application that:
(1)    the applicant has a legal interest in the property through:
(i)    ownership of the property;
(ii)    a contract, option, or other legal right to acquire the property; or
(iii)    the right to demolish the improvements on the property;
(2)    the applicant intends to revitalize, redevelop, sell, or re–use the property as part of a redevelopment strategy for the property or a redevelopment plan;
(3)    the applicant has complied with the requirements of §§ 5A–325 and 5A–326 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and § 13–1112(b) of the Financial Institutions Article;
(4)    the financial assistance from the Program is the least amount necessary to complete the project; and
(5)    the project meets any other condition that the Department may require under this subtitle.
(d)    Unless waived by the Secretary, a neighborhood intervention project shall meet the additional following requirements:
(1)    the project shall be located in a sustainable community and be a part of a sustainable community plan in accordance with §§ 6–204(b)(1) and 6–205 of this subtitle; and
(2)    for a project under subsection (a)(2) of this section, the applicant shall agree to repay the financial assistance to the Community Legacy Financial Assistance Fund, up to the amount the applicant receives from:
(i)    the net proceeds of the sale of the property on which the demolition took place; or
(ii)    any payment to the applicant relating to the property, including any payment for the costs of demolishing the improvements on the property.
(e)    (1)    The Secretary may not allocate annually more than 15% of the Community Legacy Financial Assistance Fund to neighborhood intervention projects.
(2)    The Secretary may not award more than $500,000 for any neighborhood intervention project.
(3)    The restrictions in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection do not apply to projects approved by the Secretary in the case of an emergency or when the project requires urgent approval if the project is funded from the reserve established under § 6–211(h) of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 2 - Community Legacy Program › Section 6-210 - Reports

(a)    The sponsor shall submit to the Department quarterly progress reports on the development of a sustainable community plan or the implementation of a community legacy project.
(b)    (1)    The Department shall submit an annual report to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on or before each October 31.
(2)    The report shall include:
(i)    the financial status of the Program for the preceding fiscal year, including the amount and type of financial assistance encumbered and disbursed;
(ii)    the number of applications received;
(iii)    the number and location of sustainable communities designated; and
(iv)    a summary of the quarterly reports submitted by sponsors under subsection (a) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 2 - Community Legacy Program › Section 6-211 - Community Legacy Financial Assistance Fund

(a)    In this section, “Fund” means the Community Legacy Financial Assistance Fund.
(b)    There is a Community Legacy Financial Assistance Fund.
(c)    The Fund shall be used to carry out this subtitle.
(d)    (1)    The Secretary shall administer the Fund in accordance with this subtitle.
(2)    The State Treasurer shall hold and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
(e)    The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing special fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(f)    The Fund consists of:
(1)    money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;
(2)    earnings from the investment of money in the Fund;
(3)    repayments and prepayments of financial assistance provided by the Program; and
(4)    any other money accepted for the benefit of the Fund from any governmental or private source.
(g)    Notwithstanding any other law, the State Treasurer may invest money in the Fund in the same way as money is invested by the State Retirement and Pension System.
(h)    In any fiscal year, the Secretary may hold up to 10% of the money in the Fund in reserve for emergency use or urgent projects in accordance with this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Housing and Community Development › Division I - Housing and Community Programs › Title 6 - Division of Neighborhood Revitalization › Subtitle 2 - Community Legacy Program › Section 6-212 - Sustainable Communities -- Priority for State Funding

(a)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a sustainable community shall receive priority for State funding under the:
(1)    Community Legacy Program under this subtitle;
(2)    Sustainable Communities Tax Credit Program for commercial properties under Title 5A, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article;
(3)    Neighborhood Business Development Program under Subtitle 3 of this title;
(4)    Maryland Historical Trust Grant Program under Title 5A, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article; and
(5)    African American Heritage Grant Program under Title 5A, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(b)    Priority for State funding provided under subsection (a) of this section is available in a sustainable community only if:
(1)    a political subdivision issues bonds, notes, or other similar instruments for that sustainable community under:
(i)    Title 21, Subtitle 4, Part II of the Local Government Article;
(ii)    Title 21, Subtitle 5 of the Local Government Article; or
(iii)    Title 12, Subtitle 2 of the Economic Development Article; or
(2)    a political subdivision demonstrates to the appropriate unit of State government that the political subdivision has funded infrastructure improvements in that sustainable community.