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Tri-County Community Action warns Hughesville offices closed by mold, seeks funds for repairs
Summary
Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action told the Southern Maryland delegation its Hughesville facility closed after major mold was found and that an architect estimated roughly $800,000 for immediate remediation; full residential upgrades could cost more because of current building-code and historic-preservation requirements.
At the Southern Maryland Delegation meeting on Jan. 24, 2025, representatives of Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action said the agency’s Hughesville office at 8383 Old Leonardtown Road has been abruptly closed because of major mold problems and that it needs funding to repair and reopen the facility.
The building, constructed in 1946 and about 8,000 square feet, contains 41 residential units upstairs and offices and program space downstairs, according to remarks by Doctor Michael Young, a representative of the agency. Young said a fall engineering estimate puts immediate remediation and renovation at about $800,000, but he warned that costs would likely rise if the agency retains residential use upstairs because upgrades would need to meet current building codes — potentially requiring sprinklers, new mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, a firewall and ADA compliance — and also must factor in the property’s status in a historic-preservation area.
The agency provides housing counseling, emergency assistance, energy assistance, affordable housing and case management across Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. Young told the delegation that in fiscal 2024 the agency served about 24,000 households — 11,200 from Charles County, 8,000 from St. Mary’s County and 5,000 from Calvert County — “representing about 83,317 individuals” who used the agency’s services.
Young said the agency lost an earlier federal funding opportunity through the Office of Head Start because of timing and construction delays and that the mold discovery in the fall forced an abrupt closure of the Hughesville site. He asked the delegation for help identifying resources to cover planning, design, remediation, renovation and equipping of the building.
Senator Jack Jackson (State Senator) and several delegates asked for additional financial documentation and pledged to visit the facility. Senator Jackson said the delegation wants a strategy that will address the agency’s financial foundations while helping restore services. Delegate Edith Patterson, who convened the meeting, encouraged members to visit the three local facilities and requested that Young share the videos and materials from previous site visits.
No formal vote or funding commitment was made at the Jan. 24 meeting; members said they would continue discussions and requested updated cost estimates and supporting documents from the agency. Young indicated the agency is working to secure updated construction numbers after losing its earlier consultant.
The delegation discussion made clear the agency’s operations across three counties are disrupted while staff and some services have been relocated; members repeatedly urged prompt information-sharing and site visits to better assess options.
Ending: The delegation did not adopt a resolution or pledge specific funding on Jan. 24. Members asked the agency for updated cost estimates and documentation and said they would consider follow-up meetings and facility visits to determine possible state or federal support.
