New Construction of Affordable Housing Community Complete

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on September 11, 2024, at Glenarden Hills, Prince George’s County’s comprehensive master-planned housing community that expands affordable housing for low-to-moderate income households. This final phase of the community finishes the neighborhood with three diverse housing types and amenities. The Redevelopment Authority of Prince George’s County (RDA) and Pennrose Companies, LLC bring this 27-acre site to completion that includes senior and family affordable apartments, market rate and affordable rental townhomes, and homeownership townhomes, including those with affordable financing options.

“We are extremely excited that we are delivering the final phase of this long-awaited affordable housing community,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “The completion of Glenarden Hills marks a major milestone in our ongoing mission to expand affordable housing for our residents. From the start, my administration has been committed to driving equitable growth and ensuring the availability of quality, affordable housing. I’m thrilled to see these efforts come to life, creating more housing opportunities for Prince Georgians and strengthening our community in the process.”

This previously vacant 27-acre property in Glenarden was the former site of the 578-unit Section 8 complex known as Glenarden Apartments. The former complex was foreclosed by HUD, then acquired and demolished by the RDA in 2014 and renamed Glenarden Hills. The RDA is the landowner and a partner with Pennrose Companies, LLC, who serves as the master developer.

The Glenarden Hills final phase delivers 158 high-quality, mixed-income rental homes to the 27-acre master planned community. Phase III also adds on-site community amenities, including a sports court, children’s splash pad, and additional open green space. Residents will also enjoy access to the amenities delivered in phases I and II, including the 5,700 square foot community clubhouse, fitness center, management suite, resource center, locker rooms, kitchenette, outdoor patio with a grill, tot-lot, theater room, wellness room, and more. 

 “'The Glenarden Hills project represents the Alsobrooks' Administration's commitment to our economic development priority of creating housing affordability and diversity of housing stock,” said Jim Chandler, Assistant Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic Development in the Office of the County Executive.

To develop Phase 3 of Glenarden Hills, Prince George’s County utilized affordable housing funding including $3 million from the Housing Investment Trust Fund (HITF) and $1.5 million from HOME Investment Partnership.

Both finance programs provide subordinate debt to developers to build and preserve affordable housing opportunities for low-to-moderate income households. Additionally, this project received $1,480,000 in tax credit equity from Maryland DHCD.

Contact Pennrose Companies, LLC for leasing opportunities at 410-497-6615 or visit https://www.pennrose.com/apartments/maryland/glenarden-hills/.

The Family Support Center Prince George’s was established in 1994 as the Adelphi/Langley Park Family Support Center. It is a comprehensive, multi-generational program under Prince George’s Child Resource Center now doing business as Child Resource Connect. Wraparound services to families with children aged 0 to 4 years are FREE of charge, with transportation and childcare provided. Its mission is to help create healthy and nurturing environments for children by supporting their families and educating their caregivers. The Center offers hybrid (virtual/in-person) services including the Adult Education program, Parent Education sessions, Service Coordination, and the Infant/Toddler Program.

As a Family Literacy program, its programs collaborate to provide services supporting literacy among families. The Adult Education program provides education classes including a four-tiered ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) class and employment readiness workshop series. When participants come into the center, parents attend their Adult Education class, and their children participate in the child development classroom where interactive and engaging learning occurs. The Infant/Toddler program supports optimal development of young children birth to age four and time for PACT (Parents and Children Together). PACT offers an opportunity for engagement between the parent and child and is offered daily for 10 to 15 minutes. Parents learn to follow the lead of their child as well as various ways to support their child’s exploration and development in practical ways that can be replicated in their home environment.

The Center also provides opportunities for parents to receive Formal Parent education through the Nurturing Parenting Curriculum, parent support groups, health education sessions, family field trips, and mental health services as funding allows. The Family Support Center is an excellent example of how the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) utilizes its funding to assist and support county residents.

“Our superpower is connecting our families to much needed referrals through our community partners,” said Mariela Hakans, Director of the Family Support Center. “We have received many testimonials of former and current participants who feel more empowered after utilizing the services at the center and learning how to become a better advocate for themselves and their children.”

Elijah Rhodes was able to move out of his family’s home and into his first home in August thanks to Pathway to Purchase, the County’s first-time homebuyer assistance program. Mr. Rhodes was able to utilize the Maryland Mortgage Program, and along with the Pathway to Purchase program, maximize the amount he received for his down payment. “I would recommend this program to first-time homebuyers,” said Mr. Rhodes. “The downpayment definitely helped with the purchase.”

The Prince George’s County’s home buyer assistance program, “Pathway to Purchase,” has issued new guidelines for eligible first-time home buyers. The program now offers up to $25,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance toward the purchase of a home. Home buyers can purchase a home anywhere in Prince George's County. Eligible residential properties include new construction, resales, and foreclosures. 

Pathway to Purchase is a 0% interest loan program that must be paid back when the home is sold, transferred, or ceases to be the primary residence of the buyer(s). However, if the home buyer resides in the home for 10 years, the loan is forgiven, and the lien is released.

This year, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has partnered with the State of Maryland’s Mortgage Program and eligible home buyers can receive an additional $6,000 toward the down payment and closing cost. Additionally, if the home buyer participates in the State’s Partner Match, they can receive a dollar-to-dollar match of up to $2,500.

The maximum price for homes purchased with Pathway to Purchase assistance is $448,000 for re-sale homes and $485,000 for new construction. The home must pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection as part of the application process.

The Redevelopment Authority of Prince George's County administers the program. Home buyers must work with an approved mortgage lender to submit an application. More information can be found on the Pathway to Purchase website.

The Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will be accepting Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program applications for Program Year (PY) 51, covering July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Applications will be available online on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The application submission deadline is Friday, November 1, 2024, at 5:00 P.M.

CDBG funds are used to promote viable communities by providing decent housing, suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities primarily to low and moderate-income persons. Applications will be accepted, and consideration will be given to shovel ready projects. Additionally, applicants with outstanding prior years funding, including Program Year 49 and prior, may not be eligible for funding.

The CDBG application for Program Year 51 will be available online on October 1, 2024, at the Department of Housing and Community Development's website: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/1106/Community- Development-Block-Grant. Interested parties may also request an application by sending an e-mail to: CDBGCPD@co.pg.md.us.

DHCD will sponsor a Proposal Workshop, which will provide an overview of the CDBG Program, and specific requirements related to the application of these funds including, but not limited to:

• Funding for the Planning and Administration category is limited; and,
• The Public Service Category is capped at 15% of the total entitlement funds for the applicable program year, in accordance with 24 CFR § 570.500(a).

Please note that based on the Department’s historical trends, an applicant may only seek funding for up to $50,000.00.

The workshop date and time are as follows:

DATE: Tuesday, October 1, 2024

TIME: 10:00AM – 12:00PM

PLACE: Zoom (virtual meeting)

• Interested participants are asked to R.S.V.P. by emailing CDBGCPD@co.pg.md.us       to receive the Zoom meeting invitation. All registrants must follow the instructions to       join the meeting.

Sign language for the hearing impaired and interpretive services can be made available. To request these services, please call: TTY (301) 699-2544.

Prince George’s County affirmatively promotes equal opportunity and does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability, or familial status in admission or access to benefits in programs or activities.

Cynthia L. Simms 

 Title:  Senior Human Resources Manager

Years of Service: 39 Years of Service to Prince George’s County (20 years with DHCD)

Quote:  “As the Sr. Human Resources Manager, I approach my work with a sense of urgency as I recognize the critical role that effective human resources management plays in the department’s success and employee satisfaction. Timely decision making and proactive strategies are essential to address challenges, enhance employee engagement, and ensure compliance with policies, regulations, and laws. By addressing these aspects promptly, I help create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated to perform at their best.”