Rental housing possibilities in Baltimore City may soon improve with the infusion of $7.5 million in funds, released to bolster and expand high-quality, affordable rental housing options.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore City Affordable Housing Trust Fund announced the release of the funds to support both the construction of new affordable rental housing and the rehabilitation of existing affordable rental units. This latest round (the seventh) demonstrates continued commitment to expanding viable housing options for Baltimore City residents. The Trust Fund is administered through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
“Access to affordable, high-quality rental housing is the way we make sure lottie, dottie, and everybody can afford to live in Baltimore,” Scott said. “By creating more rental housing and rehabilitating existing rental units, we can attract essential workers, keep household dollars circulating locally, and break cycles of poverty for families and children.”
Since the Trust Fund was created, opening effective January 2019, the city has seen an increase in requests for rental-housing assistance. Homeownership programs are still the largest funding category, but demand for affordable rental options has made rental investment the Trust Fund’s second-largest spending category.
To date, the Trust Fund has supported affordable housing for Baltimoreans in myriad ways. It has awarded 48 grants to affordable rental housing developers, infused $38.6 million into rental-housing investments, supported projects across 41 neighborhoods in Baltimore City, and created or preserved 2,154 affordable rental units for residents.
“Investment in affordable rental housing is one of the most powerful ways we can strengthen neighborhoods and grow our local economy,” said Alice Kennedy, housing commissioner. “When rents remain within reach, families can put down roots near their jobs, employers can retain essential workers, and household dollars stay circulating in the community. Reducing housing stress doesn’t just stabilize families — it creates the conditions for residents to thrive and helps break generational cycles of poverty.”
This round of funding sets aside up to $1 million for Community Land Trusts and up to $1 million for emerging developers. The Community Land Trusts must provide affordable housing to low-income and moderate-income families through an affordable housing land trust agreement. The emerging developers must have completed at least three and no more than five housing development projects.
Anyone interested in applying for this funding must apply by Jan. 9, 2026. Awards will be announced the week of April 13, 2026.
A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on Dec. 10, 2025, from 5–6:30 p.m. ET.
The latest information on the funding round, application process, pre-proposal conference, and guidelines can be found on the DHCD’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund page.
