Maryland — The Maryland Affordable Housing Trust announced awards from the Plumbing Poverty Program to five local governments and nonprofit organizations. The total funding of $1,400,000 will support plumbing access and upgrades for low-income households in Charles, Howard, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.
Grants were awarded to the County Commissioners of Charles County and Worcester County; Habitat for Humanity Wicomico County, Inc.; Rebuilding Together Howard County, Inc.; and SHORE UP!, Inc., which serves Somerset, Queen Anne’s, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. The Plumbing Poverty Program is designed to address water access issues that affect the quality of life for low-income Maryland residents. The two-year grants provide funding to enhance existing government and nonprofit plumbing rehabilitation programs that assist scattered-site, owner-occupied households.
The program aligns with the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust’s mission to improve the availability of affordable housing and related services for households earning less than 50 percent of the Area Median Income, with particular focus on households earning less than 30 percent. Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano said the funding will support the Wicomico County Housing Rehabilitation Program, helping low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities make necessary indoor and outdoor plumbing and home repairs.
