Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces More Than $5.3 Million in Community Development Block Grant Awards to Maryland Communities

Grants will fund 11 projects in nine counties across the state

NEW CARROLLTON, MD (January 7, 2026) – The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced $5.3 million in federal Community Development Block Grant program funding for Fiscal Year 2026. Administered in Maryland by the Department, awards will support 11 projects in nine counties to expand affordable housing opportunities, make neighborhoods more accessible and upgrade community infrastructure.

“Many of the greatest small towns in America are right here in Maryland,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “By investing support in the visions of rural Maryland leaders, together we can ensure that every corner of this state has a path toward a bright future.”

The federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program was enacted into law by Congress as part of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Since then, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program has supported community redevelopment, affordable housing, disaster recovery, and the expansion of economic opportunities. The CDBG State Program provides federal funds to states which then distribute assistance to rural counties, cities and towns.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development manages the state’s annual allocation from the CDBG State Program, administering funds through a competitive application process with priority given to emergency health and safety initiatives.

For Fiscal Year 2026, 11 projects across nine counties were granted funding. The full list of awards can be found here. Some of these projects include:

• Funding to upgrade the water treatment plant in the Town of Willards with cellular and web-based controllers for more efficient operations (Wicomico County)
• Supporting interior renovation of the Salvation Army building in Waldorf to enable increased capacity for food preparation, distribution and meal service, and other educational and support services (Charles County)
• Helping with the installation or replacement of sidewalks and ADA curb cuts in three affordable housing communities in the City of Havre de Grace (Harford County)
• Providing improvements along South Conococheague Street in the Town of Williamsport (Washington County)

Since its creation in 1987, Maryland’s CDBG Program has awarded more than $335 million to local government grantees for 1,122 projects. These projects have leveraged approximately $1,362,664 billion in additional private and public investment.

For more information about the CDBG program and the Department’s work to support lovable places, visit dhcd.maryland.gov.

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