This year, in celebration of Women’s History Month, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) recognizes women in the Washington metropolitan area who are making an impact on affordable housing.

Join us as we celebrate:

Courtney Battle, Executive Director, Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND)

HAND’s growing network of members includes a wide variety of real estate and community development professionals in the Capital Region (Baltimore, Washington and Richmond) who share the mission of creating more equitable outcomes through the vehicle of affordable housing. Courtney believes that relationships are one of life’s cornerstones, and cultivating a strong network of changemakers who are transforming communities is vital to addressing the inequities that create barriers to opportunity.

"Affordable housing is more than just shelter—it is the foundation of security, opportunity, and equity for families. At HAND we believe that stable housing is essential for education, better health outcomes, and economic mobility. As we honor Women’s History Month and celebrate the trailblazers who have fought for housing justice, we must also renew our commitment to building a future where every individual and family has access to safe, affordable housing in vibrant communities where they can thrive."

Hilary Chapman, Hilary S. Chapman is the Housing Program Manager for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG)

At COG, Ms. Chapman works with regional leaders in northern Virginia, suburban Maryland, and the District of Columbia to find collaborative solutions to the shared challenges of homelessness, housing affordability, and fair housing. Prior to joining COG, Ms. Chapman spent nearly a decade as an affordable housing developer. She also served the Government of the District of Columbia as a Capital City Fellow and is a 2016 graduate of ULI Washington’s Regional Land Use Leadership Institute. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance (NVAHA) and Affordable Homes and Communities (AHC, Inc).

“The need for more housing, and affordable housing, is one of the most persistent challenges facing the metropolitan Washington region. Working at a regional level provides a unique perspective on how our housing needs are all connected. It also provides a platform to develop joint solutions and can provide opportunities to amplify and leverage local efforts. It is a great privilege to work with dedicated and talented local government staff and elected officials from Prince George’s County and across the region who are creating vibrant communities where everyone has a place to call home.”

Claudia Wilson Randall, Executive Director, Community Development Network of Maryland

For Claudia Wilson Randall, working as the executive director of the Community Development Network of Maryland brings a career dedicated to improving communities full circle. With a background in public policy and having worked on neighborhood revitalization during the foreclosure crisis, Randall sees her role as a conduit for building more opportunities for communities of all types. The Community Development Network of Maryland works to be the voice for the community development industry, which includes nonprofit organizations, public agencies, developers, financial institutions, small business development organizations and more. In particular, Randall sees CDN’s work on housing as especially critical in building opportunities for people who haven’t always had a chance at them.

“I always ask myself, ‘How do I build more opportunity? How do we make a better state, better neighborhoods? How are we contributing to better communities?’” said Randall. “That’s my ‘why’ for doing this work.”

Miranda Darden-Willems, Executive Director, Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition (MAHC)

Miranda Darden-Willems has led the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition since 2013, serving as MAHC’s first full time Executive Director. She manages a Coalition of over 175 member organizations and advocates for public and private funding and effective housing programs to ensure that high quality affordable rental housing is available throughout the State of Maryland.

She has over 25 years of experience working in the housing and community development industry in Maryland.  She also serves on the Board of the Friends of the Light House Shelter in Annapolis.

"Women's History Month is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions women have made to shaping and strengthening our communities. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to ensuring that every Marylander has access to safe, affordable housing. Through my work at the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition, I have fostered meaningful partnerships, led state-level advocacy efforts, and sought out innovative solutions to address Maryland’s affordable housing crisis. The Coalition is also committed to educating policymakers about the critical role housing investments play in growing Maryland's economy and building a more equitable future for all."

Since last November, a member of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) staff has been present at the Hyattsville District Courthouse to assist tenants and landlords. Tenants who have a court summons to appear in Landlord-Tenant Court will be able to speak with a staff member to get information about the ERAP eligibility requirements, receive assistance starting a new ERAP application or check on the status of their existing application.

An ERAP staff member is available from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Thursdays and Fridays at the Hyattsville District Courthouse (4990 Rhode Island Avenue, 3rd Floor, Room #7, Hyattsville, MD).

Now that spring has arrived, toddlers and parents in the Town of Riverdale have a new Tot Lot for playtime. The 54th Place Pocket Park and Tot Lot is part of the Town initiative to make public investments in the neighborhood east of the Anacostia River.

Before the completion of the Tot Lot, the surface of the property was paved, and children could be seen playing on the hard surface. This project responded to an unmet need to create a new park in an older neighborhood which had been historically overlooked. “The safety and wellbeing of our residents is a priority, and the creation of this park addresses the unmet needs of some of the Town's most vulnerable residents,” says Ivy Lewis, Director of Public Projects and Services, Department of Public Works, Town of Riverdale Park.

The Town of Riverdale applied for Community Development Block Grant funding for the Tot Lot and was awarded $150,000 under the category of Public Facilities and Infrastructure. The town also committed $100,000 towards the design and construction of this project in their approved FY 2022 budget. The project was completed last year and is now ready for the neighborhood children.

The Town of Riverdale met several community development block grant goals by constructing the Tot Lot which included improving the quality of life/livability as well as supporting high quality public infrastructure improvements for low and moderate-income persons. Riverdale completed the project and stayed within budget to deliver the Tot Lot.

Currently, the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) and DHCD are working to finalize the draft policies and procedures for the Permanent Rent Stabilization Act (PRSA) and seeks your input.

Visit the PRSA public comment web page at: Permanent Rent Stabilization and Protection Act (PRSA) Policies and Procedures Comment Page to review the first draft document, then email any comments you may have to PRSAInfo@co.pg.md.us

The deadline for public comment is Friday, April 11, 2025.

In the meantime, rent increase limits will remain the same as when the law went into effect in October.

The following information provides an overview of the maximum rent increase allowed per year for units that are regulated under PRSA (“regulated units”): 

• Regulated Units in Age-Restricted Senior Housing Facilities
October 17, 2024 through June 30, 2025 – 3.3%

• Regulated Units NOT in Age-Restricted Senior Housing Facilities
October 17, 2024 through June 30, 2025 – 6.0%

• Regulated Units in Age-Restricted Senior Housing Facilities
July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 – Pending

• Regulated Units NOT in Age-Restricted Senior Housing Facilities
July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 – Pending

Note: The maximum rent increase allowed for the July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 for regulated units will be finalized and adopted prior to May 1, 2025 as required by PRSA.
Rent increase limitations for regulated units as summarized above are based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”) published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For regulated units in Age-Restricted Senior Housing Facilities, rent increases cannot exceed 4.5 percent or CPI-U, whichever is lower.

For regulated units not in Age Restricted Senior Housing Facilities, rent increases cannot exceed 6.0% or CPI-U plus 3 percent, whichever is lower.

United Communities Against Poverty (UCAP) is a designated Community Action Agency in Prince George's County that has fought the "war on poverty" for 60 years. Led by CEO Rasheeda Jamison, UCAP is dedicated to improving the lives of people in the community affected by poverty, homelessness, unemployment, crime, and limited health services. The organization works hard to foster self-sufficiency and economic stability in the lives of residents who need their services.

As a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), UCAP works to stabilize communities in the County that suffer from foreclosures, abandoned and vacant homes.

“Achieving the status of the second Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) in Prince George's County, Maryland, was a significant objective for UCAP,” said Rasheeda Jamison. “This designation required extensive effort and commitment from the entire team. The ability to offer decent, affordable, and safe housing to first-time homebuyers is a deeply rewarding experience. Furthermore, this initiative contributes to the diversification of our portfolio as a non-profit developer.”

Through the acquisition, rehabilitation and resale of foreclosed, abandoned, and vacant homes, UCAP’s housing program increases homeownership in low–income areas and removes blighting influences and vacant structures. The program attracts new homeowners to revitalized communities, improves property values and stabilizes the tax base.

Take a look at one of the homes purchased and renovated by UCAP, then sold to first-time buyers, a married couple with one child.

UCAP Video

For more information about UCAP’s housing program, contact Jacqueline Moore on (301) 322-5700 ext. 112 or email her: jmoore@ucappgc.org

At the March 25th Awards Ceremony hosted by the Washington Business Journal (WBJ), Prince George’s County’s newest affordable housing community, The Sovren of West Hyattsville, won WBJ’s 2025 Best Real Estate Deal of the Year in the Residential Development Category.

The Sovren opened in November 2024 and is currently leasing apartment units. Designed with modern convenience, luxury, and community in mind, this five-story, 293-unit community offers an unparalleled living experience for individuals and families seeking a vibrant and connected lifestyle. There are 147 affordable units reserved at 80% of the area medium income (“AMI”), 2,500 SF of ground floor retail space, and an art-wrapped parking garage with 298 spaces and direct connectivity to the WMATA Green and Yellow lines.

This commitment to long term affordability has been made possible through a collaborative partnership between the developer, Gilbane Development Company, Amazon and the Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Prince George’s County provided $200,000 in Housing Investment Trust Funding and a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to ensure the 147 apartment units remain affordable. The units will maintain affordability for the duration of the 98-year ground lease.

Congratulations to Gilbane Development and all the partners involved in earning the Best Residential Development Real Estate Deal of the Year for Sovren of West Hyattsville!

Photo Caption: Members of the Gilbane Development Team, along with the team from Prince George’s County Government at the WBJ Awards Ceremony