Sustainable Communities

Program overview

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Sustainable Communities Program (“the Program”) designates Maryland communities that are striving for sustainable revitalization. The Program supports sustainable revitalization by facilitating revitalization and sustainability planning, and providing a toolkit of community development programs, technical assistance, and public investment incentives. Its goal is to arm local governments with the resources they need to revitalize their older communities through environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable projects and programs.

Sustainable Communities Act of 2010

The Sustainable Communities Act of 2010 created a shared geographic designation to promote the efficient use of State resources. This designation requires the development of local sustainability and revitalization strategies.

The Sustainable Communities program combines resources for:

• Infrastructure improvements
• Historic preservation
• Housing production and rehabilitation
• Vacancy reduction
• Multimodal transportation improvements
• Economic development programs

The legislation tasks the Governor's Sustainable Growth Subcabinet with final approval of Sustainable Communities applications.

What are Sustainable Communities?

The Program understands Sustainable Communities as communities where public and private stakeholders work together to achieve:

• A healthy local economy
• Preservation and appreciation of historic and cultural resources
• A mix of land uses
• Affordable and sustainable housing and employment options
• Growth and development practices that:
  • Protect the environment
  • Conserve air, water and energy resources
  • Encourage walkability and recreational opportunities
  • Improve access to transit where feasible

State Designated Transit Oriented Development (TOD) areas

Under Maryland law, State Designated Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Areas constitute Sustainable Community Areas (SCAs) by default. All TOD Designation Applications for Station Areas from 2023 onward contain planning elements that satisfy the plan requirements of State Revitalization Programs (SRPs). As a result, eligible applicants can apply for State SRP funding for eligible projects occurring within all TOD Areas approved after 2023. For TOD designations approved prior to 2023, those areas must either have an approved Sustainable Community Action Plan, or update their TOD Designation Applications with MDOT and the Maryland Sustainable Growth Subcabinet such that they reflect the current TOD Designation Application content and requirements, to be eligible to receive SRP funding.

For more information on State Designated TOD Areas in Maryland, please consult the Maryland Department of Transportation's State TOD Designation Program webpage​.

Eligible applicants

Local Governments (municipal or county) are eligible to apply.​​

Eligible locations

All Sustainable Communities must meet the following requirements:

• The entire Sustainable Community Area must fall within a Priority Funding Area and demonstrate a targeted approach. To check if an address is within a Priority Funding Area or existing Sustainable Community, use the Neighborhood Revitalization Mapper​.
• ​​The community should be within or near a town center or transportation center.
• The community must also demonstrate a need for local revitalization, community support for said revitalization, a need for financial support to realize said revitalization, and local capacity to efficiently and effectively administer said financial support. A strong community development focused nonprofit ecosystem is ideal.

Resources

Various state agencies helped create a revitalization toolbox to support Sustainable Communities in their revitalization efforts. This toolbox demonstrates how agencies prioritize investment in Maryland's Sustainable Communities.

To apply for certain state programs, projects need to be within a Sustainable Community Area. Examples of these programs include:

• Community Legacy
• Strategic Demolition Fund​

Application process

1. Request an Application Template:

   Send an email to Tynan Stevenson at [email protected]:

   1. In the subject line, include: Sustainable Communities [New Designation or Renewal] Application – [Community Name] - [Sponsoring Jurisdiction]
   2. In the email body, provide an explanation of the inquiry.
   3. Note: For new designation, you will need to have a meeting (in person or virtual) with Sustainable Communities Program staff before applying.

2. Application Submission:

   Municipal and county governments must submit an application that includes:

   1. A defined geographic area with an existing built environment. The area needs revitalization or additional state investment to strengthen the local market.
   2. A Sustainable Community Action Plan, summarizing key initiatives and projects for the area. The proposed Plan must be consistent with other existing community or comprehensive plans.​
   3. A local government resolution supporting both the boundary designation and Action Plan.

3. Application Review:

   An interagency panel will review the application. The panel is led by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

4. Final Approval:

   The panel will present the application to the Governor's Smart Growth Subcabinet for final approval.

5. Designation Period:

   Once approved, the Sustainable Communities designation is valid for five years.

Contact information

Program Contact: Tynan Stevenson
Project Manager, State Revitalization Programs
Division of Neighborhood Revitalization
Email: [email protected]​
Phone: 410-209-5811
Cell: 443-257-2059

Address: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Division of Neighborhood Revitalization
2 North Charles Street, Suite 450
Baltimore, MD 21201