The Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) was created in 1968 to consolidate local community development efforts with housing and building code enforcement. With just over 500 employees, DHCD strengthens City neighborhoods by attracting investors, developers, and home buyers. Through the administration of CDBG, HOME, City bond funds, and other creative financing mechanisms, the Department finances, and guides strategic development projects to meet housing and neighborhood needs. 

Development Opportunities

Acquiring property from the City has never been easier. Whether you're a large-scale developer, a local community development corporation, a faith-based developer, or an individual homesteader, we encourage you to bid. 

There are two primary ways developers can acquire City-owned properties for development:

• Bid on Requests for Proposal (RFP) or Requests for Qualifications (RFQ)
• Purchase individual vacant properties through the Vacants to Value program

Contractor and Vendor Opportunities

DHCD purchases a wide variety of goods and services such as office supplies, stoves, and refrigerators, various construction items, etc. We also procure a variety of professional services, including pest control, legal, architectural, and engineering services.

City Grant and Funding Opportunities

DHCD offers financial and programmatic support for projects, especially for community-based developers and developers interested in increasing the supply of affordable housing in Baltimore City.

Community Development Block Grants

CDBG is a HUD program designed to give local jurisdictions power to distribute federal funds directly to non-profit and public agencies that support housing and public-service programs. CDBG’s primary objective is to develop viable communities by providing low- to moderate-income families with decent, affordable housing and to expand local economic opportunities.

DHCD is the authorized representative for the City of Baltimore regarding the oversight and management of the CDBG Program.

Affordable Housing

DHCD envisions a city of thriving neighborhoods with housing opportunities for people of all income levels in a wide variety of communities. To support this vision, the Office of Project Finance provides funding for the production of rental and for-sale housing opportunities in order to create decent, safe, and affordable housing for the citizens of Baltimore City.

DHCD coordinates several programs that provide funding to developers committed to providing affordable housing in Baltimore City, including the HOME Investment Partnership Program, and CDBG.

Community Catalyst Grants

DHCD’s Community Catalyst Grants (CCG) program complements the Neighborhood Impact Investment Fund and supports locally-driven community development work through neighborhood-based partner organizations.

Beginning in July of 2018, up to $3 million in capital funds and up to $2 million in operating funds will be available for community-driven revitalization efforts. CCG is a competitive awards program.