For over 40 years, Kathleen (“Kathy”) Koch has worked to create affordable housing opportunities and revitalize communities in Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis. She is the founding Executive Director of Arundel Community Development Services, Inc. where she led the organization for 28 years. In August, Kathy announced she was planning to retire on December 31st of this year. As the end of the year draws near, we want to take a moment to reflect on just a few of Kathy’s many accomplishments, and thank her for her service. Watch this short video to view Kathy’s work over the years.
Under Kathy’s leadership, ACDS has supported the development and retention of over 3,000 affordable rental units throughout Anne Arundel County, while also standing up the first eviction prevention program in response to COVID-19 in the State. The Eviction Prevention Program has helped over 2,000 households in the past 18 months avoid eviction, making Anne Arundel County one of the rare jurisdictions in the United States that has met the Department of Treasury’s expenditure deadline to expend 65% of ERAP funds by September 30, 2021. During her tenure, ACDS provided credit and budget counseling to over 6,000 first time homebuyers and helped over 650 households purchase their first home with closing cost and down payment assistance. In addition to managing both the City of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Property Rehabilitation Programs, ACDS has grown its grant-making portfolio to award and steward over 130 grants to community organizations each year. A seasoned project manager, Kathy has been the lead developer on the County’s iconic capital community development projects, including the successful preservation and redevelopment of the historic Wiley H. Bates High School and the Severn Center, which is currently under construction.
To celebrate Kathy’s work in the housing and community development field, County Executive Steuart Pittman declared December 2, 2021 “Kathy Koch Day” and issued this proclamation. On December 15, 2021, she was honored with a Housing Legacy Award from the Anne Arundel Affordable Housing Coalition. Thank you Kathy for your dedication to serving low and moderate income households and vulnerable communities. You will be very missed, but your ACDS family wishes you well in your retirement adventures!