March 2, 2026

FAVORABLE WITH AMENDMENTS: 

Department of Housing and Community Development — Capital Budget
House Capital Budget Subcommittee

Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Carrie Kisicki, and I am the Maryland Housing Advocacy Manager for the Coalition for Smarter Growth. We advocate for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the metro D.C. region to grow and provide opportunities for all. 

Maryland faces serious housing affordability and availability challenges for people of low and middle incomes. This lack of available housing threatens our state’s economic competitiveness and the stability of local and state tax revenues as households leave Maryland to seek lower costs of living elsewhere.

The work of DHCD and affordable housing practitioners is essential to address these housing needs. DHCD currently has 70+ affordable housing projects in its funding pipeline. The state is a critical partner on these projects, and this budget decision will determine how many of these projects are able to move forward.

The low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and others served by affordable housing across our state quite literally cannot afford to wait for safe, stable housing. Providing adequate funding can ensure that the projects in DHCD’s pipeline move forward and deliver the housing Marylanders need.

For this reason, we respectfully ask you to support an increase of at least $20 million to the DHCD Capital Budget for the Rental Housing Programs (RHP) to get back to FY26 funding levels and provide critical financing for the development of new affordable housing units. 

Sincerely,

Carrie Kisicki
Maryland Housing Advocacy Manager