Howard County Housing & Community Development

08/11/2026

Grassroots Crisis Intervention federal funding update.

08/07/2026

Howard County Housing & Community Development and its partners have helped more than 3,400 residents build a strong foundation for successful homeownership through homebuyer education.

Becoming a homeowner begins long before someone receives the keys.

Since 2019, Howard County Housing & Community Development and our nonprofit partners have provided homebuyer education to more than 3,400 individuals. That knowledge empowers residents to make informed decisions, avoid predatory financial products, and prepare for success after closing.

OWN is about more than helping someone purchase a house. It is about giving residents the information, resources, and confidence they need to remain successful homeowners for years to come. Learn more at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/housing-community-development/own-initiatives.

07/28/2026

THRIVE TOGETHER BACK-TO-
SCHOOL BASH IS ALMOST HERE!

Get ready for an afternoon filled with fun, community, and everything your family needs to kick off the new school year with confidence!

Join the Howard County Housing Commission and Howard Connect, Inc. for their annual

THRIVE Together Back-to-School Bash on:
Friday, August 7, 2026 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Columbia Commons
7601 Woodpark Lane, Columbia, MD 21046

Event Highlights:

-100 FREE backpacks (while supplies last)
- 17 FREE children's haircuts (Ages 1-12 by appointment)
- FREE food trucks featuring Toogi's Smash Burgers & Kona Ice
- Games, arts & crafts, and family activities Scooter, bicycle, and helmet giveaways
- Workforce training scholarship opportunities
- Meet local community organizations offering valuable resources for families

Howard County Housing and Community Development will be providing a table for this event.

07/15/2026

Due the the Heat Advisory today, the Leola Dorsey Center is open as a cooling center starting at 11am.

Due to the Heat Advisory on July 15, 2026, the Leola Dorsey Center will be open as a cooling center at 11 am for access to air conditioning, restrooms and water. The Grassroots Day Resource Center programs will be available at their regular time from 2-6 pm for hot meals, showers, laundry, and access to food and clothing pantries.

The Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey is located at 10390 Guilford Road in Jessup. Please stay safe!

07/01/2026

If you need assistance during this Code Orange event please contact Grassroots at 410-531-6677 or report to the crisis center at 8990 Old Annapolis Rd, Ste A, in Columbia for support. The Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey (10390 Guilford Rd, Ste A, in Jessup) will be open as a cooling center. Please stay cool and hydrated.

A Code Orange has been issued in Howard County due to extreme heat beginning July 1 through July 5. Individuals who are experiencing homelessness can call Grassroots at 410-531-6677 or report to the crisis center at 8990 Old Annapolis Rd, Ste A, in Columbia for support. The Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey (10390 Guilford Rd, Ste A, in Jessup) will be open as a cooling center. Please stay safe.

06/26/2026

Staff from the Department of Housing and Community Development visited Home of Our Own, a key partner of our Continuum of Care, to tour their facilities and learn more about their services. Home of Our Own helps Howard County residents turn empty spaces into real homes by providing essential furniture and household goods at no cost. Working closely with local organizations, they support individuals and families facing hardship as they regain stability. DHCD staff were impressed to see the operational flow of the program and the individual care that is put into each person and family.

06/25/2026

In 2024, our team was restructured to include homeless services, allowing us to take a more comprehensive approach to housing stability. This change has strengthened our ability to build a more effective and coordinated system for residents with housing needs.

In 2024, we reorganized Howard County government to move the Division of Homeless Services into the Department of Housing & Community Development.

We made this change because homelessness and housing are not separate challenges, and when services are split across agencies, the people who need help most can end up navigating a fragmented system. By breaking down silos and aligning these functions within DHCD, we created a more integrated, housing-first approach that better supports residents from crisis through permanent housing and long-term stability.

This reorganization is already helping improve outcomes. Since 2024, DHCD has worked with the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center to renovate and expand the emergency shelter, adding 39 new beds and increasing capacity by more than 75%. Since FY2013, the County has helped more than 2,500 people enter the homeless services system and exit to permanent housing. Through the County’s HOME program, DHCD has also partnered with Bridges to Housing Stability to house more than 400 individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability, including more than 200 HCPSS students. With this restructuring, we're building a more effective system for residents with housing needs.

06/17/2026

ICYMI - DHCD’s first Coalition to End Homelessness Resource Fair. Nonprofits and community leaders in the Howard County area came together to learn about resources from other providers.

06/11/2026

This week, the Howard County Executive signed CB25-2026 into law, expanding age-restricted cottage cluster housing options for older adults in Howard County. The legislation supports more affordable, accessible “missing middle” housing and helps residents age in place while staying connected to their communities

06/11/2026

Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity (OHRE) receives housing discrimination complaints each year, addressing issues such as refusal to rent or lease termination based on unlawful bias.

Through LIVE, the County will expand fair housing education and webinars for tenants and landlords.

Learn more about OHRE and our webinars to come at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News012026b.

Just earlier this year, we launched LIVE, or Landlord Accountability, Investment in Quality, Victim Protection, and Eviction Prevention Initiative. In addition to strengthening eviction prevention, educating our residents, and fortifying our inspection process, the LIVE Initiative also strengthens fair housing protections.

Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity (OHRE) receives housing discrimination complaints each year, addressing issues such as refusal to rent or lease termination based on unlawful bias.

Through LIVE, the County will expand fair housing education and webinars for tenants and landlords, ensuring residents know their rights and can access housing free from discrimination.

Learn more about OHRE and our webinars to come at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News012026b.