The Affordable Housing Trust Fund was established to provide housing, programmatic and financial support to the City's low and very-low income households. Article 1, Section 14 of the City's Charter governs how Trust Funds can be used. All Trust Funds must be used to benefit households earning 50 percent or less of the Area Median Income, approximately $52,550 for a household of four, and at least half of the funds must be used to benefit households earning 30 percent of the Area Median Income, approximately $31,550 for a household of four.
The Trust Fund is administered by the City's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and is overseen by a 13-member Affordable Housing Trust Fund Commission. The Commission is an advisory board nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The Commission was established to make "recommendations, advise, and consult with the Department of Housing and Community Development regarding the establishment of essential policies, rules, and regulations relating to the implementation, expenditures, and ongoing operation of the trust fund.
The City is seeking applications for four Commissioners: 1) a tenant who earns 30 percent or less of the Area Median Income as part of the City's Right to Counsel legislation; 2) a representative of a homebuilders or realtors association of Baltimore; and 3) a resident who rents and is at 30 percent or less of the Area Median Income; and 4) a renter who has received rental assistance and earns 50 percent or less of the Area Median Income.
Applicants who are interested in applying to represent the Right to Counsel position, or the resident who rents and earns 30 percent of the Area Median Income will be required to demonstrate that they are residents of Baltimore City and that they meet the income requirements described above. Residency and income requirements do not apply to the representative of a homebuilders or realtors association. 2021 Income Limits for households earning 30 and 50 percent of the Area Median Income are as follows:
| Household Size |
30% | 50% |
|---|
| 1 |
$22,100 |
$36,800 |
| 2 |
$25,250 |
$42,050 |
| 3 |
$28,400 |
$47,300 |
| 4 |
$31,550 |
$52,550 |
| 5 |
$34,100 |
$56,800 |
| 6 |
$36,660 |
$61,000 |
| 7 |
$40,120 |
$65,200 |
| 8 |
$44,660 |
$69,400 |
Applicants who meet income and residency eligibility can apply for one or more of the available positions, but if recommended can only be nominated to represent one position.
Applications must be submitted no later than JANUARY 31st, 2022 11:59 PM to: mogr@baltimorecity.gov. Applicants who are unable to submit their application electronically or who have questions about the application should contact Nina Themelis at nina.themelis@baltimorecity.gov. Applications will be reviewed to determine that they meet income, residency and professional requirements and then provided to the Mayor’s Office. Nominees will be determined by the Mayor at his sole discretion and subject to formal confirmation by the City Council. If nominated, applicants will be required to complete a Nominations Form, Consent to Background Check and Notice of Ethics Requirements. All members of the Commission are required to attend the City's Ethics Training and to complete an annual Financial and Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form.
Additional information about the Trust Fund can be found at:
https://dhcd.baltimorecity.gov/nd/affordable-housing-trust-fund