MAY 8

Severna Park, MD – Enlarging upon Governor O’Malley’s State of the State pledge to win the future, Secretary Skinner said winning the future in housing includes ensuring that senior citizens are able to live in quality homes in desirable neighborhoods.

“Quality housing is a direct result of the choices we make as a society; of our values as a people and our collective vision for the future,” Secretary Skinner said Tuesday during dedication ceremonies for Park View at Severna Park.

“As the governor said in his State of the State address, these things do not happen by accident. It means choosing to design homes and plan communities that are safe, affordable, accessible to public transportation and other amenities and that meet the governor’s sustainability and energy efficiency goals.”

The $15.8 million project adds 103-unit affordable apartments for senior citizens. It was built by Shelter Development and financed in part through the Recovery Act’s Tax Credit Assistance Program, the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits program and DHCD’s Multifamily Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability program.

In his annual address in February, Governor O’Malley outlined how investments in key areas such as education and the state’s small businesses are creating jobs, strengthening the middle class and preparing students to compete in the global economy of the future.

Last month, the legislature approved the governor’s $17.5 million Rental Housing Works intiative, which could add as many as 2,000 new units, create an estimated 1,300 jobs and put more than $332 million into the state’s economy.