§ 2–304
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Hous. & Cmty. Dev. § 2-304 (2026)
Title 2. Department of Housing and Community Development
Subtitle 3. Miscellaneous Requirements
§ 2–304LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)
“Approved housing counseling agency” means an organization that is approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide housing counseling services directly or through affiliates or branches.
(3)
“Community development organization” means an entity that meets the qualifications of § 6–203 of this article.
(4)
“Housing counseling” means counselor–to–client assistance that addresses unique financial circumstances or housing issues and focuses on ways of overcoming specific obstacles to achieving a housing goal.
(b)
As a condition on the receipt of funding from the Department from the Strategic Demolition Fund or the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative for any project to construct, acquire, or rehabilitate residential property for single–family homeownership, a funding recipient shall provide information about the housing counseling services that are available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to prospective residents before the execution of a contract to purchase the property.
(c)
Housing counseling services offered under subsection (b) of this section shall be provided by housing counselors certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and employed by an approved housing counseling agency.
(d)
In fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall appropriate $90,000 to be used by community development organizations to partner with approved housing counseling agencies providing housing counseling services under this section.