$5.8M In Federal Funding To Redevelop Housing In Columbia, Ranleagh Court, Waverly Wind

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Leaders have secured $5.8 million in federal funding to help with the redevelopment of two mixed-income housing communities in Columbia, Ranleagh Court and Waverly Winds.

Since 1996, Howard County has been a Housing and Urban Development entitlement jurisdiction, receiving a federal funding allocation each year. In fiscal year 2024, HUD allocated $1,823,419 in total funding to Howard County through its Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnership Program. This funding helps the county support low to moderate income individuals, families and communities to address homelessness, affordable housing challenges, aging infrastructure and economic hardships.

"This significant commitment from HUD further supports our ongoing investment in creating and preserving quality and affordable homes for families living and working in our great county. This financial commitment will help us further close the financing gaps for both projects and allow crews to prepare to start construction in the coming new year," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

Since Section 108 loans are federally guaranteed, the county can borrow up to five times its current CDBG allocation to access loan capital for larger projects at a low interest rate. Based on the county’s current CDBG allocation and outstanding Section 108 balance as of May 14, the county’s maximum borrowing authority is $6,633,650. HUD encourages jurisdictions to consider using this CDBG multiplier for high priority housing projects, such as housing rehabilitation and mixed-use development. In 2014, the county used Section 108 funds for the Burgess Mill redevelopment project in Ellicott City.

The Ranleagh Court and Waverly Winds redevelopment projects are owned and managed by Enterprise Community Development, a nonprofit affordable housing provider in Howard County. These two redevelopments are part of Enterprise’s comprehensive plans to redevelop five aging rental complexes into modern, mixed-income housing communities for Howard County families.

Located at 6001 Turnabout Lane in Columbia, Ranleagh Court currently consists of 41 apartment units. The property will be redeveloped by replacing the existing structures with a new 82-unit multifamily building, that features new amenity spaces and an onsite leasing office. Also located in Columbia at 10339 Twin Rivers Roads, Waverly Winds presently consists of 62 apartment units. The redevelopment of this property will include the replacement of the existing structures with 123 housing units in two new multifamily buildings. The new buildings will also include new amenities and onsite leasing spaces.

Once completed, tenants who were relocated because of the redevelopment, will be offered the opportunity to return to the new communities that have preserved all existing affordability and unit types, while adding new workforce and market rate units.

"These two Enterprise projects in Columbia will double the number of apartment homes we are able to offer to a range of people at different income levels in this sought after, high cost and resource-rich region,” said Janine Lind, president of Enterprise Community Development. “Through the innovative use of the Section 108 program, Howard County continues to demonstrate its commitment to affordable housing. Enterprise is grateful for our continued partnership with the county and the opportunity to work together to preserve and expand affordable housing opportunities.”