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HOC requests $1.5M for Elizabeth House remediation and $2.3M for Cider Mill upgrades
Summary
Housing Opportunities Commission told the committee it needs $1.5 million to cover unexpected environmental remediation at Elizabeth House and $2.3 million for capital and security work at Cider Mill, citing safety issues including unstable balconies; the county executive deferred action to the FY26 operating budget.
Chelsea Andrews, president of the Housing Opportunities Commission, asked the Planning, Housing and Parks Committee on March 3 for support for two CIP amendments: $1.5 million to cover unexpected environmental remediation related to the Elizabeth House demolition and $2.3 million for capital improvements at the Cider Mill property.
Andrews said Elizabeth House is a former public senior-housing site that required additional remediation to conduct demolition safely. "As a result, we incurred an additional $1,500,000 of expenses unexpected, and we are working in tandem with our county counterparts at DGS in terms of an interim beautification approach for that site," she said. DHCA and OMB representatives later explained that the initial $3 million for Elizabeth House had been a shared cost; OMB indicated the additional funding will be reflected in HOC's budget in forthcoming budget transmittals.
On Cider Mill, Andrews said the site houses more than 860 residents and HOC has invested more than $7 million in capital improvements since acquisition. She described ongoing security investments and said balconies on several residential units have been partitioned off because concrete has fallen and they are not safe for residents. "They're not stabilized or secured," Andrews said, noting the partitions and code concerns and that further remediation is needed to eliminate health and safety hazards.
Councilmember Lewtke thanked HOC for collaborations with district staff and police and asked for specifics on the balcony hazards; Andrews described falling concrete and inspection code violations as drivers of the capital request. Chairman Powell and council staff discussed coordination with DGS; Andrews said HOC had advanced remediation funds while conversations continue and that the county executive deferred a recommendation pending the operating budget review. Anita Aite of OMB confirmed the additional Elizabeth House amount will be in HOC's budget.
No action was taken; Chairman Powell said the items will be revisited in operating budget discussions and that committee members expect follow-up as the County Executive finalizes recommendations.
Direct quotes in this article come from the committee transcript and are attributed to the speakers who made them.
