The Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) of Montgomery County, Maryland, is a public body corporate and politic that is authorized by State and local law to act as builder, developer, financier, owner, and manager of housing for low- and moderate-income persons in Montgomery County.The agency was first established in Montgomery County in 1939 and reactivated by the County Council in 1966 as the Housing Authority of Montgomery County. It was retitled in 1974 as the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County. Specific powers of the HOC include acquiring land; utilizing Federal, State, and County housing subsidies; executing mortgage loans, construction...
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AGENCY DESCRIPTION
The Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) of Montgomery County, Maryland, is a public body corporate and politic that is authorized by State and local law to act as builder, developer, financier, owner, and manager of housing for low- and moderate-income persons in Montgomery County.
The agency was first established in Montgomery County in 1939 and reactivated by the County Council in 1966 as the Housing Authority of Montgomery County. It was retitled in 1974 as the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County. Specific powers of the HOC include acquiring land; utilizing Federal, State, and County housing subsidies; executing mortgage loans, construction loans, and rent subsidy payments; providing permanent financing; purchasing mortgages; and issuing bonds.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
To meet its public mandate, HOC acts in cooperation with the County Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State Department of Housing and Community Development, local developers, lenders, realtors, and property owners to provide affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. The County, acting through the County Department of Housing and Community Affairs, sets housing policy, part of which is implemented by HOC.
HOC provides assisted housing to three income levels: very low, low, and moderate income households. This objective is achieved, in part, through a full range of Federally-subsidized housing programs which consist of Project Based Rental Assistance, the Federal Tax Credit Program, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, and Public Housing Homeownership.
HOC also provides below-market-rate housing through the use of non-County mortgage revenue bonds, as provided for under Federal and State statutes and regulations, in the following programs:
- The Single Family Mortgage Purchase Program, and
- Multifamily Revenue Bond Program.
HOC publishes a Strategic Plan every five years and provides annual updates of the estimated unit production figures. The Strategic Plan provides a full description of the agency's plans for the production of new housing units, maintenance of HOC current housing stock, and the administration of programs and services to customers and persons seeking housing assistance.
During the period covered by the most recent five-year Strategic Plan, below-market-rate housing will be produced under the following programs, some of which receive significant support from the County and other sources:
- Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDU) Program,
- New Construction,
- Acquisition and Rehabilitation,
- Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program, and
- Homeownership Program.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Commission, together with the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA), will operate the new Nonprofit Preservation Fund. This project will provide funding to preserve existing affordable housing in developments at risk of rent escalation to higher market rents.
PROGRAM CONTACTS
Contact Terri Fowler at 240.627.9507 or Anita Aryeetey of the Office of Management and Budget at 240.777.2784 for more information regarding this department's capital budget.
CAPITAL PROGRAM REVIEW
One ongoing project comprises the County Executive's FY25-30 Recommended Capital Improvements Program for HOC, for a total six-year cost of $7.5 million. This represents a $2.73 million or 26.7 percent decrease from the Amended FY23-28 total six-year cost of $10.225 million. The change results from the shift of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) sewer and storm line improvements at Elizabeth Square from the six-year period and the completion of the Elizabeth House Demolition project.
In addition, the HOC Capital Program includes two revolving funds for interim financing, as well as one statutorily determined loan guarantee. When all funds are in use, there will be no funding shown in the six-year period. This apparent lack of funding and activity is a reflection that fund capacity has been reached in the three projects. As repayments flow back into the funds, additional expenditures may be made.
The HOC relies on six funding sources to support its Capital Program: Current Revenue: General; General Obligation Bonds; PAYGO; County revolving funds for interim financing with expenditures up to a specified maximum; permanent financing provided by direct Federal Public Housing assistance; and HOC bonds that are guaranteed by the County up to a maximum of $50 million. Funds are replenished when HOC obtains permanent financing or in certain circumstances, through an additional County appropriation.
For more information on the projects in the HOC Capital Program, refer to the respective project description forms.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County ("HOC") is duly organized under Division II of the Housing and Community Development Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended, also known as the Housing Authorities Law (Maryland Code Annotated, Housing & Community Development, §§12-101 - 12-705, §§16-101 - 16-407). Per Section 16-107, HOC may only act in accordance with local law or under a contract with Montgomery County. Accordingly, HOC and Montgomery County entered into a Memorandum of Understanding that gives HOC the power to provide affordable housing and related services in the County, including the duties, authorizations, and responsibilities provided in Chapter 25A, Chapter 25B, and Article VI of Chapter 56 of the Montgomery County Code.
HOC's board is comprised of seven (7) Commissioners. The Commissioners are nominated for five (5) year terms by the County Executive and are approved by the County Council. The Commissioners determine HOC's policies, and appoint an Executive Director to carry out the policies and to administer the activities of the Commission.
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