Please note – funding is available only for organizations developing housing in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

ACDS provides assistance to group home providers and developers who wish to develop new affordable group home units or acquire existing homes and modify them to serve as a group home serving persons with special needs, including persons with developmental disabilities, persons with mental illness and the chronically homeless.  Funded through both federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding, developers may be required to become a certified Community Development Housing Organization (CHDO) per HOME regulations, depending on the funding source.

Applicants interested in gap financing to develop group housing should contact ACDS CEO or planning staff at ebrush@acdsinc.org or 410-222-3956 to schedule a meeting to discuss the proposed project.  Prior to the meeting, the applicant must submit to ACDS a description of the project along with an identification of the resources needed from ACDS.  The project description should include the following:

• The number of units;
• Clients served and means of referral;
• Project beneficiaries by income level;
• Proposed location with pictures of the site and indication of the zoning;
• Explanation of any environmental issues;
• Project cost and sources of financing;
• Site plan and floor plans if available;
• Statement on whether or not any relocation will be required;
• Description of the applicant’s role in the development (i.e. owner, developer, sponsor);

Becoming a Certified Community Development Housing Organization (CHDO)

Each year, the County reserves at least 15 percent of its federal HOME funding to assist CHDO organizations to develop and/or rehabilitate housing, with a priority placed on housing for special needs providers.  Group Home providers interested in becoming CHDO’s are eligible to apply for funding as long as they are willing to adhere to the terms and conditions of the program.  Providers may include for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations. For additional information on the certification process and the program requirements refer to the CHDO Certification Checklist and the CHDO Application for Funding.  Group Home providers interested in becoming a certified CHDO and should contact Elizabeth Brush at ebrush@acdsinc.org or 410-222-3956 to schedule a meeting to discuss the proposed project.