Maryland State Law Authorizes Housing Authorities
Maryland defines the duties of municipal housing authorities, including the power to accept federal housing grants and loans for public housing.
Over the course of its first five decades the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) has continually risen to the challenge of finding new ways to provide safe, high-quality affordable housing that strengthens our communities. For the past twenty-five years, HOC’s nonprofit affiliate Housing Opportunities Community Partners (HOCP) has supported this mission through outreach programs to help our neighbors attain housing stability, increase their self-sufficiency, and, ultimately, to break the cycle of poverty.
This year, HOC is commemorating 50 years of service to residents of Montgomery County and 25 years of delivering innovative, life-changing programs through HOCP.
We invite you to explore some of the key milestones along the way that have shaped HOC into one of the most progressive and effective affordable housing agencies in the United States.
Maryland defines the duties of municipal housing authorities, including the power to accept federal housing grants and loans for public housing.
Montgomery County Council establishes the Housing Authority of Montgomery County (HAMC), with first offices located in the downtown Rockville Council Building.
HAMC recommends expansion of its affordable housing scope and mission.
Elizabeth Scull serves as Chair of the Montgomery County Council and becomes an active member of HAMC and proponent of the mixed-income affordable housing model.
HAMC separates from Montgomery County government, becoming an independent public agency.
HAMC acquires its first multifamily property at 1400 Fenwick Avenue in Silver Spring and relocates its offices to that location. The building is later named Elizabeth House in honor of Elizabeth Scull.
HAMC restructures into HOC to address a broader housing mission in Montgomery County.
HOC expands its senior portfolio with the addition of Arcola Towers (Silver Spring), Town Center (Rockville) and Waverly House (Bethesda).
Resident Service Division, launched with three staff members, begins offering supportive services to HOC residents. By 2024, the division is a major Montgomery County resource with a staff of 70 and annual budget of $16.4 million.
HOC builds Magruder’s Discovery in Bethesda, a new community offering a range of programming for youth and families, consistent with the growth of the Resident Services Division.
HOC issues its first tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds to meet affordable housing needs amidst substantial federal funding cutbacks.
HOC adds a homeownership component and pursues multifamily development and preservation opportunities.
This townhome-style community is notable as HOC’s first ground-up mixed income development. It includes 107 luxury apartment homes and first-class amenities in a central, commuter-friendly location.
With 311 apartments, the complex was the first major downtown apartment development in 20+ years and considered the “crown jewel” of the city’s redevelopment and the first phase of the revitalization of Elizabeth Square.
122 affordable apartment homes.
HOC offers the Family Self-Sufficiency Program as a launching pad for homeownership, teaching money management skills and helping 400 participants a year increase income and save for down payments. As of 2024: more than 1,100 FSS graduates.
HOC becomes an FHA Risk Share lender and receives A2 rating from Moody’s Investors Services.
Built on the grounds of the historic Strathmore Mansion, the development added 201 apartments in the commuterfriendly White Flint neighborhood.
This luxury 14-story building includes dozens of affordable apartment homes in a downtown, high-cost Bethesda locale.
HOC becomes one of the first U.S. public housing agencies to form a nonprofit to offer resident programming.
The inaugural year back-to-school event has become an annual tradition and has distributed more than 12,000 backpacks with supplies to help equip low-income students for school success.
HOC joins with Maryland nonprofit to help 200 adults purchase reconditioned vehicles, enabling mobility and employment prospects.
HOC begins offering summer programming to engage youth and exercise young people’s bodies and minds.
HOCP provides funding to help 400+ families with move-in costs as they transition from homelessness to permanent housing.
Constructed within air rights conferred by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for the Wheaton Metro station, MetroPointe delivers dozens of affordable homes on the Red Line in the heart of Wheaton.
HOC launches the Financial Literacy Program, providing residents (and later, Wait List applicants) with practical advice and education to manage money, create household budgets and navigate credit.
Supported by HOCP, HOC forms the HOC Academy to offer workforce development and educational programs to low-income residents and their families. Hundreds of adults received tuition assistance, propelling them to employment with livable wages and enabling many to start their own businesses.
The first Inspire Celebration fundraising event is held, leading to significant expansion of HOC and HOCP programming. Since its inception this biennial event has raised $700K, helping to create new programming for hundreds of adults, children and seniors.
This luxury development in the heart of Chevy Chase includes dozens of affordable apartment homes in a signature mixed-income community.
With 124 boutique-style one- and two-bedroom affordable apartments, Fenton Silver Spring offers the ultimate in urban living and convenience.
With Montgomery County Council support, HOC creates the Housing Production Fund (HPF), a $100 million vehicle to finance housing construction without tax dollars. HPF developments are expected to deliver more than 1,400 new homes by 2030.
HOC opens the doors to its newest mixed-income senior community, The Leggett. Named in honor of former County Executive Isaiah “Ike” Leggett, the building is co-located with the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center and provides modern senior living in a thriving urban environment. In partnership with HOC, Holy Cross Health opened a primary care practice at its new health center within the building.
First HPF-funded development opens to wide acclaim, is nationally awarded and recognized as “the new model for affordable housing.”
Official groundbreaking is held for The Lumina and Radia, located on the site of the former Holly Hall Apartments. This HPF-funded mixed-use, mixed-income community will add hundreds of new affordable homes in East County. Both buildings will be built to Passive House standards. The senior building is planned to be Maryland’s first zero net energy passive house residential building.
HOC begins construction of its new headquarters building across the street from the Elizabeth Square project. That redevelopment includes the renovation of Alexander House (Phase I), the opening of The Leggett senior apartment building co-located with the Silver Spring Recreation & Aquatic Center (Phase II) and the demolition and later construction of Elizabeth House (Phase III).
Learn about the life-changing impact of the programs and services funded through our nonprofit Housing Opportunities Community Partners (HOCP).
Check out the HOCP website and monthly blog.
Please consider donating to HOCP. Your generous contribution will help us to continue and expand the life-changing programs and services that HOCP provides to our low- and moderate-income resident families.