BALTIMORE, MD - The Maryland Department of Disabilities today announced the signing of the first lease through Maryland's Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Program. The Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Program makes a home in the community affordable for people with disabilities who have low incomes.

To qualify, an individual must have a disability, be between the ages of 18 to 62, be enrolled in Medicaid, and receive income below a designated threshold. For those who qualify, the program not only provides rental assistance, but also ensures the person has links with existing services and supports. With Section 811 Project Rental Assistance, the tenant pays 30% of their income for rent and utilities, and the program pays the rest of the rent directly to the landlord. The program has the capacity to house hundreds of Marylanders with disabilities who otherwise have very few outlets for assistance, and a limited number of units to meet their needs. The units will be integrated in affordable rental housing developments financed by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

"Affordable and accessible housing is a significant need in our state and across the nation. I am proud our department is partnering with other state agencies along with private sector entities to help many Marylanders with disabilities meet their most basic needs," said Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty. "We look forward to many more lease signings in the next several months as we have reached the implementation phase of this program. It is exciting to see the hard work of so many be realized as people move into their own homes and toward greater independence."

Section 811 Project Rental Assistance is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and operated through the Maryland Partnership for Affordable Housing (MPAH).  The partnership is a collaboration among the Maryland Department of Disabilities, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

The apartment complex where the new home is located was developed by Osprey Property Companies and Pax-Edwards, LLC.  It is managed by Habitat America, LLC.  The Osprey Property Companies and Pax-Edwards are real estate investment and development companies both headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. The Osprey Property Companies have successfully developed numerous projects in Florida, North Carolina and the Mid-Atlantic region since their inception in 1988. Pax Edwards, LLC has developed many affordable housing communities in the Mid-Atlantic region since 2012 and has a proven track record of success.  Habitat America, LLC, also headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, manages numerous communities throughout Maryland.

For more information on Section 811 Project Rental Assistance or other housing initiatives supported by the agency, please visit the Maryland Department of Disabilities website at www.mdod.maryland.gov.



Prepared by:
Carrie M. McGraw, PIO
The Maryland Department of Disabilities
217 East Redwood Street, Suite 1300
Baltimore, MD 21202
410.767.3660