Funding Sources for Installation of Smoke Detectors

In the 2024 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 823, which beginning on July 31, 2025, requires smoke detectors to be installed in accordance with location and spacing requirements established by the National Fire Protection Association in each interior public corridor in a residential high rise building.

Below are links to programs offered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development as potential funding sources available to the owner of a residential high-rise building or the governing body of a condominium or cooperative housing corporation to aid the owner or governing body in protecting the building with a complete automatic sprinkler system.

Each link contains information on how to apply to these programs, who is eligible, and a point of contact within the agency.

State Revitalization Programs

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s State Revitalization Programs offer funding to further the broader revitalization goals of communities across Maryland. Funds can be applied for in areas designated as Sustainable Communities as approved by DHCD.

National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund

The National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund (“NED”) is a program for the greater National Capital region of Maryland that provides competitive funding for strategic investment in local housing and businesses to encourage healthy, sustainable communities with a growing tax base and enhanced quality of life.

Funds from the NED Program are awarded and granted by the Department of Housing and Community Development to support the objectives outlined in a targeted area’s Sustainable Communities Action Plan for eligible commercial and residential development projects, such as programs that improve existing residential property.

Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative

The Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative (BRNI) aims to increase the competitiveness of targeted communities in the Baltimore metro area for new homeownership and private-sector business, residential and commercial investment, through such activities as strategic property acquisition, redevelopment, rehabilitation, and new infill development.

Funds for the programs are granted by DHCD and subsequently awarded to Community Development Organizations and local governments who complete the application and have the required BRNI Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG Program)

Community Development Block Grant Program funds help strengthen Maryland’s communities by expanding affordable housing opportunities, creating jobs, stabilizing neighborhoods and improving the overall quality of life. The CDBG is a federally funded program, administered by DHCD in Maryland to local jurisdictions who then can award funds based on competitive applications to eligible , designed to assist counties and municipal governments with activities like neighborhood revitalization and housing opportunities.

Technical Assistance Grant

The Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program assists local governments and nonprofits with operating costs associated with local housing and community revitalization efforts. The activities that funds are being requested for should be completed within one year.

Applicants can include nonprofit organizations and local governments involved in community and economic revitalization activities.