CALIFORNIA, Md. — The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County voted on Jan. 28, 2025, to deny a proposed lease agreement that would have allowed the Housing Authority of St. Mary’s County to develop affordable housing on an 18-acre parcel in the First Colony Residential Pod #3, located off FDR Boulevard.
During the commissioners meeting, County Attorney Buffy Giddens presented the lease agreement, which proposed granting the Housing Authority a 100-year lease at a nominal rate of $1 per year. The agreement was contingent upon securing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and other necessary funding.
The local housing authority currently has more than 3,000 families on its waiting list, which has been closed for the past 18 months. Executive Director Shawn Kingston emphasized that the new housing project aimed to support workforce housing, catering to a diverse income range. The minimum income requirement for families was set at approximately $27,000, with a cap of $100,000, allowing for a mixed-income approach. The initiative was expected to provide much-needed housing options for families at various income levels, helping to alleviate pressure from the extensive waiting list.
However, the proposal faced opposition from the commissioners. Commissioner Mike Hewitt voiced concerns, stating, “We’re getting a lot of comments from constituents who are concerned about degrading a neighborhood that’s doing very well.” In response, Kingston assured him, “I can assure you right now, we’re not going to denigrate a neighborhood. We’re going to bring up a neighborhood.”
Despite Kingston’s efforts to advocate for the lease approval, the motion to deny was introduced by Commissioner Eric S. Colvin and seconded by Commissioner Scott R. Ostrow. The motion ultimately passed in a 4-1 vote, with Commissioners Colvin, Ostrow, Hewitt, and Michael R. Alderson Jr. voting in favor of denial. Commissioner President James R. Guy cast the sole dissenting vote.
The rejection of the lease agreement marks a setback for the Housing Authority’s plans to expand affordable housing in St. Mary’s County.
View the Jan. 28, 2025, meeting here.
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This his terrible for hard working folks who need affordable housing but those commissioners don’t care they have a place to stay. They just want to know where their next 50th grocery store and restaurant is going the commercial growth in St Mary’s is insane
NO more Comercial growth and NO low income housing. I moved years ago because of that crap in Waldorf. LOOK AT IT NOW!!! I wish I was here 40 years ago and got into politics. I would do everything to preserve the ST. MARY’S way of life…
Because we don’t want affordable housing in our communities.
This county has really messed up priorities.
What do you mean? Everyone should want affordable housing for Everyone in every communities. That thought process is the reason why Unites States is divided now.
Could a tiny home community be built for the elderly and/or senior citizens. Some of us do not need a large house any more and we don’t want to live in a trailer park. We live off of social security and/retirement. I’m sure the builders can make a lot of money. And the tenants just pay electric and rent of no more then a $1000.00 or less. There is a lot of land available in Mechanicsville. Think about it.
We don’t need no affordable housing. nothing but crime comes with it. Good call smc