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Kent County commission backs countywide housing inventory grant; local commission urged to shape priorities
Summary
Staff and commission members discussed an application for a DHCD technical assistance/ housing inventory grant covering all towns and the county; Upper Shore Regional Council committed $13,000 and the county signed on for $37,000; the application is due Friday and the study timeline is about one year.
County staff and the Kent County Economic and Tourism Development Commission discussed a proposed countywide housing inventory and a related technical assistance grant application to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.
Rose Osborne, economic and tourism development staff, told the commission that the application will create an inaugural countywide housing inventory as outlined in the 2018 comprehensive plan and will include all towns, not just unincorporated county areas. "The Upper Shore Regional Council has already committed $13,000, and the county's commission another $37,000," she said, and added the application is due on Friday.
Osborne said four towns had already provided letters of support and the commission was awaiting a fifth. She described the expected scope as a data catalog and study that would analyze income levels, housing costs and gaps, and make recommendations on how to fill those gaps. The grant is described as technical assistance with a roughly one‑year timeline after funding is awarded.
Commission members asked for follow‑up materials: the existing draft application, a job description for a previously proposed housing and transportation coordinator and clarified roles for any outside consultant chosen by RFP. Staff said the plan is to solicit an outside professional service to complete the study and that the Upper Shore Regional Council and county commission had each committed funding to leverage the DHCD technical assistance.
The commission discussed whether housing functions belong under planning and zoning or economic development. Staff noted a previously funded housing/transportation position had been grant‑funded, then unfunded, and said the county would need a dedicated full‑time staff member to implement a housing strategy effectively.
Ending: Staff agreed to circulate the grant application and the earlier job description to commission members and to follow up on the missing town letter of support and timing for grant award notifications.
