Moderate Income Housing Information

Howard County Housing Accepting Applications for Moderate Income Housing Unit Program

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Housing will begin accepting applications for the July enrollment period for the County’s Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program on Tuesday, July 1. The open enrollment period will end Thursday, July 31. 

The MIHU program is an inclusionary zoning program that requires developers of new housing in certain zoning districts to sell or rent a percentage of the new dwelling units to households of moderate income. The program offers quality new homes at reduced sale prices and rents to income eligible families. 

As part of the MIHU program, Housing will hold a free “MIHU Buyers and Renters Workshop” on July 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Gateway Building, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive in Columbia. The workshop is open to the public and will explain the program’s eligibility requirements and application process for prospective homebuyers and renters. Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Maryland and Delaware, Inc. will also be on hand to present information regarding the importance of credit scores for buying or renting a home. For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Howard County Housing’s Homeownership Division at 410-313-6318 and select option 4.

To purchase an MIHU home, persons must apply to Howard County Housing during an open enrollment period in order to be placed in the database and on the waiting list. The applicant’s household income may not exceed 80% of Howard County’s median income which, as of January 1, 2014, is $108,844 for a family of four. Applicants must also meet minimum credit score requirements and their household income must be sufficient to qualify for a home mortgage based on industry standards. Base sale prices for MIHUs can range from $136,000 for a condominium to $255,000 for a townhome.  Actual sale prices vary depending on the size and amenities of the unit. If you were not eligible in the past because of household income, Howard County Housing encourages you to check current eligibility limits.     

Available MIHU homeownership opportunities are at Ellicott Crossing, Gatherings at Ellicott Mills and Howard Square. Located on Rogers Avenue in Ellicott City, Ellicott Crossing boasts townhomes with three bedrooms, three baths, spacious kitchens and efficient gas heat in each home. The Beethoven and Hepburn models both offer more than 1,600 square feet of living space. Also located in Ellicott City, the Gatherings at Ellicott Mills is a new 55+ active adult community currently under construction on Route 40 and featuring two bedroom condo apartments and three bedroom villa townhomes. Howard Square, located off Route 1 in Elkridge, offers one-car garage townhomes with three bedrooms and over 1,500 square feet of living space on three finished levels.

To rent an MIHU unit, an applicant’s household income may not exceed 60% of the Howard County median income. MIHUs are rented on a first-come, first-serve basis, with rents ranging from $1,224 to $1,698, including utilities. MIHUs are interspersed throughout each community and residents enjoy all of the amenities of community life. Alta at Regency Crest, Ashbury Courts, Belmont Station, Mission Place, Orchard Meadows and Penniman Park are currently accepting MIHU rental applications. Prospective renters may apply directly to a participating rental community at any time during the year. Rental management addresses and phone numbers can be found on Housing’s website, www.howardcountymd.gov/housingmihu.htm. 

Open enrollment periods for the MIHU purchase program are held quarterly. Interested persons should call Howard County Housing’s Homeownership Division at 410-313-6318, selection option 4, or visit their MIHU website at www.howardcountymd.gov/housingmihu.htm.