The Department is releasing a draft revision of the Qualified Allocation Plan (the “QAP”) and Multifamily Rental Financing Program Guide (the “Guide”) for public comment. Thank you to everyone that participated in the four (4) Listening Sessions held in October. Each session provided us with various perspectives on the current QAP and Guide. The Department also appreciates the written comments we have received to date, and look forward to continued input from our stakeholders as this process continues.

We are committed to finalizing revisions to the QAP and Guide in a timely manner to enable our partners to continue to pursue the development of critically-needed affordable rental housing, while providing meaningful opportunities for stakeholder engagement.

The following is a summary of a few of the proposed changes to the 2019 QAP and Guide. Please note that this list contains some, but not all revisions. Stakeholders are encouraged to review the entire QAP and Guide on the Department’s website. You may find clean and blacklined versions of the Draft revision of the QAP and Guide at:

https://dhcd.maryland.gov/HousingDevelopment/Pages/QAPGuideRevisions.aspx

Summary of Selected Changes to QAP 

  • Section F.2: Other Set Asides – modified to create a set aside of up to $1.5 million of 9% Tax Credits for the development of Permanent Supportive Housing

Summary of Selected Changes to Multifamily Rental Financing Guide

  • Development Quality Standards – various modifications to threshold and scoring requirements.
  • Opportunity Zones – incentives incorporated into Section 4.2.3: Defined Planning Areas. Clarification provided regarding treatment of OZ investments under Section 4.5.1: Leveraging.
  • Tenant Services – updated threshold and scoring criteria.
  • Income Targeting Scoring (Section 4.4.1) – updated to incorporate Income Averaging and removed additional incentives for projects located in Communities of Opportunity.
  • Targeted Populations Scoring (Section 4.4.2) – updated set-asides and income targeting requirements.
  • Policy Incentive Points (Section 4.4.5) – points proposed for Preservation, Choice Neighborhoods and “Twinning” transactions. Removal of points for projects located in Communities of Opportunity.
  • Leveraging Scoring (Section 4.5.1) – increase in total points available, modified scoring formula and removed additional incentives for projects located in Communities of Opportunity.

Next week, a table summarizing all changes included in the draft QAP and Guide will be posted to the above-referenced website. In the meantime, please feel free to provide us with your comments and input on this draft of the QAP and Guide. As noted in the schedule below, comments on these draft documents are due by no later than Monday, December 31, 2018. To assist with this effort, a dedicated email has been created to which you may submit your comments: dhcd.qap@maryland.gov

Schedule for Adoption of 2019 Maryland Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) and Multifamily Rental Financing Program Guide (Guide)

November 30, 2018 – Draft of Maryland 2018 QAP and Guide Released for Public Comment

December 31, 2018 – Deadline for Public Comments to the First Draft posting

January 2019 – Issue final draft for public comment and publish notice of public hearing.

(Notice must be at least two weeks prior to hearing.)

February 2019 – Conduct Internal Revenue Code (IRC) mandated public hearing 2019 QAP and Guide

Please note this schedule is subject to change.

Please submit all questions to Gregory Hare via telephone at 301-429-7775 or via email to gregory.hare@maryland.gov.