Housing Authority outlines $111 billion budget and new affordable housing developments

The Prince George - Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee convened on April 17, 2025, for a budget work session focused on housing and community development. The meeting primarily addressed the fiscal year 2026 budget proposals and ongoing housing initiatives within Prince George's County.

The session began with a presentation detailing the proposed budget of $111,000,658,500 for the upcoming fiscal year. This budget encompasses various housing programs, including conventional public housing and self-sufficiency initiatives. Notably, the budget allocates $3,300,000 for the development of affordable housing projects, including Coral Gardens, which consists of 16 units, and the Marcy Avenue homeownership development.

The committee discussed the current status of the rental assistance division, which includes a total of 5,986 vouchers. Of these, 5,697 are under the regular voucher program, while 124 are emergency housing vouchers, which are set to expire at the end of the year. The current utilization rates for these programs stand at 93.5% for tenant-based vouchers and 95% for emergency vouchers. The committee noted that the funding for the emergency housing vouchers, initially provided by HUD during the COVID-19 pandemic, will conclude this year, prompting concerns about the potential impact on families currently benefiting from this assistance.

A significant point of discussion was the waiting list for housing vouchers, which has not been opened since 2015. The committee acknowledged the challenges posed by rising housing costs and inflation, which have limited the number of families that can be served under the current budget. The staff confirmed that no new families have been added to the tenant-based waiting list due to budget constraints, although project-based waiting lists for specific populations, such as those with disabilities, remain open.

The Cottage City project was highlighted as a key redevelopment initiative, with plans for major renovations to a 100-unit high-rise public housing facility. The project aims to achieve a bronze national green standard building certification and is supported by various funding sources, including $12 million in low-income housing tax credits and $25 million in bonds issued by the housing authority.

The meeting also addressed staffing challenges within the housing authority, which currently has 32 vacancies out of 76 full-time positions. The director noted ongoing efforts to fill these positions and improve operational efficiency.

In conclusion, the committee's discussions underscored the pressing need for affordable housing solutions and the complexities of managing housing assistance programs amid financial constraints. The next steps include continued monitoring of the budget utilization rates and efforts to address the staffing shortages within the housing authority.