Tax Exemption Bill For Housing Authorities Being Considered In Maryland General Assembly

A hearing on the legislation was held last week.Delegate Kris FairAnnapolis, Md (KM) Lawmakers in Annapolis are considering a bill that would affect affordable housing. If it passes, the legislation would exempt public housing authorities, certain subsidiaries of public housing authorities, and certain non-profit corporations’ capital projects from state tax.One of the co-sponsors of this bill is Frederick County Delegate Kris Fair. He says this measure would free up money for housing authorities and non-profit corporations so they can “expand the number of {affordable} housing units that they’re making available as well expanding operations of those housing units to provide better wrap around services to help lift  people out of low income situations and poverty.”:Fair says this will “directly impact” low income housing projects in Frederick County.He also points out that this idea to help create more affordable housing units is nothing new in Maryland. “We have a couple of counties in the state that already have this in place as pilot programs. It’s been very, very successful,” says Fair.A hearing on this bill was held last week before the House Environment and Transportation Committee.Other Frederick County Legislators sponsoring this bill are Delegates Ken Kerr and Karen Simpson.By Kevin McManus