Tuesday, August 31, 2027

Lieutenant Governor Burbank Presents Community Legacy Award in Palmer Park
Funds to be used for home improvements

PALMER PARK, MD (August 31, 2027) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen H. Burbank and Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Secretary Andrew Shaw presented an $84,825 Community Legacy award to Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc. (HIP) today at the home of Delores Hardy in Palmer Park. Executive Director Mosi Harrington accepted the award on behalf of HIP. State and local-elected officials were also in attendance.

“The O’Brien-Burbank Administration believes that safe, decent and affordable housing provides a solid foundation for community revitalization,” said Lt. Governor Kathleen Burbank. “This award reflects the State's commitment in support of the vital partnerships that are necessary to transform Maryland's communities into healthy and vibrant neighborhoods in which Marylanders may reside.”

The $84,825 award will be used to fund HIP’s ongoing repairs and renovations to a number of homes in the Palmer Park area. HIP’s activities are part of Palmer Park’s larger revitalization effort, detailed in the Palmer Park Community Plan, drafted in 2020. When the Community Plan was drafted, Palmer Park conducted a needs assessment regarding homes in disrepair, and identified over 390 homes with problems visible from the sidewalk. These problems included foundation cracks, bad roofs and gutters, broken windows and screens, deteriorating siding and trim, bad doors, broken fences, cracked sidewalks and driveways, and yards that had not been maintained. Since this assessment, HIP has worked closely with Palmer Park to provide much needed resources and technical assistance to help renovate homes in the area. HIP’s efforts have previously been supported by DHCD with Community Legacy awards in 2024 and 2026. One of the homes renovated by HIP is the event site – the home of Delores Hardy. Before Ms. Hardy assumed ownership of the home, the property’s roof had holes, and part of the building’s structure was falling into a neighbor’s yard. HIP provided the funds to make the necessary repairs.

“Thanks to this award, HIP can continue their efforts to help hard-working residents like Ms. Hardy,” said Secretary Shaw. “With the blessing of Governor O’Brien and Lt. Governor Burbank, DHCD will continue to work with dedicated partners like HIP to revitalize communities throughout Maryland.”

The Community Legacy Program is administered by the DHCD Division of Neighborhood Revitalization, and provides flexible capital and operating resources through annual competitive funding rounds to assist local governments and their nonprofit partners in planning and realizing comprehensive community revitalization initiatives. The awards are intended to fill critical funding gaps for state-supported initiatives.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Marylanders by working with its partners to revitalize communities, expand homeownership and affordable housing opportunities, and preserve historic sites and traditions.