Read more about the article The Briefing Room: The Hemlock Grove Playbook
County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development
The Briefing Room: The Hemlock Grove Playbook

For the final episode of The Briefing Room's housing finance series, the conversation heads west to Garrett County, where local leaders are putting many of the tools explored throughout the series into practice. Dom Butchko and Baltimore County Housing and Community Development Director Terry Hickey are joined by Garrett County Commissioner Paul Edwards and Liz Georg of the Garrett County Housing Commission to explore Hemlock Grove, an innovative housing development designed to address a challenge…

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September 1, 2026
Read more about the article More States and Localities Adopt Rental Cooling Requirements
Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Transportation and Public Works
More States and Localities Adopt Rental Cooling Requirements

As extreme heat intensifies, states and counties are adopting new requirements to ensure rental housing has adequate cooling. As extreme heat becomes more frequent and dangerous, state and local governments are increasingly reconsidering whether access to working air conditioning should be treated as a basic housing requirement. Houston recently adopted rules requiring landlords to provide and maintain cooling in rental units, joining jurisdictions such as Phoenix, New York City, Dallas, and Austin that have established…

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August 31, 2026
Read more about the article Maryland Appeals Court Clarifies Tax Sale Redemption Rules
County News / Housing and Community Development / Taxes and Revenues
Maryland Appeals Court Clarifies Tax Sale Redemption Rules

The Appellate Court of Maryland has clarified which unpaid taxes and water bills must be paid when an owner seeks to redeem a property sold at tax sale, providing new guidance for local governments that administer the process. In an August 26 decision, the court held that property taxes accruing after a tax sale must be paid at redemption only if they are already in arrears. The court also held that unpaid water charges may…

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August 31, 2026
Read more about the article Montgomery County Award Winning Innovations Connect Communities and Build Resilience
Environment / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / NACo Achievement Awards / Transportation and Public Works
Montgomery County Award Winning Innovations Connect Communities and Build Resilience

Montgomery County earned national recognition for initiatives that improve how residents move through their communities, prepare critical infrastructure for disruptions, and help residents make informed decisions about their health and safety. Transportation is a major part of that work. In June 2025, Montgomery County implemented its Ride On Zero Fare Policy, eliminating passenger fares across Ride On, Ride On extRa, Ride On Flex, and Flash buses. The policy aims to remove financial barriers for riders,…

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August 27, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore Housing Forum to Examine Federal Action, Local Impact
Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use
Baltimore Housing Forum to Examine Federal Action, Local Impact

A September 2 housing forum in Baltimore City will bring together local, state, and national leaders to discuss how federal housing legislation could affect communities on the ground. Baltimore City Council Member Odette Ramos will host “The Impact of Federal Legislation on Baltimore City” on Wednesday, September 2, at Baltimore Unity Hall. The discussion will focus on the federal ROAD to Housing Act and other housing initiatives moving at the federal level. The program will…

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August 27, 2026
Read more about the article Howard County Builds New Pathways for Work, Business, and Community
Housing and Community Development / NACo Achievement Awards
Howard County Builds New Pathways for Work, Business, and Community

From career exploration and apprenticeships to small-business development, agriculture, historic preservation, and recreation, Howard County earned national recognition for programs that create new opportunities for residents and strengthen the communities around them. Several of the County’s 2026 NACo Achievement Award winners focus on helping young people understand where their interests can lead. Howard County’s Virtual Career Exploration Program uses immersive virtual reality simulations and career coaching to allow middle and high school students to explore…

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August 27, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore City Homeownership Pilot Turns Investment Into National Recognition
County News / Housing and Community Development / NACo Achievement Awards
Baltimore City Homeownership Pilot Turns Investment Into National Recognition

Baltimore City earned a 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for a homeownership initiative that helped residents purchase homes while generating millions of dollars in local real estate activity. The Buy Back the Block Grant Pilot Program earned recognition in NACo’s Community and Economic Development category. Running from March 2023 through July 2025, the American Rescue Plan-funded program provided down payment assistance to eligible Baltimore City residents purchasing homes within designated areas. Administered…

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August 26, 2026
Read more about the article The Briefing Room: Preservation as a Housing Strategy
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Feature / Housing and Community Development
The Briefing Room: Preservation as a Housing Strategy

Building new housing is only part of the affordability challenge. Counties also need tools to preserve the affordable homes already in their communities. In Episode 7 of The Briefing Room's housing finance series, Dom Butchko and Terry Hickey are joined by Jonathan R. Butler, Director of the Prince George’s County Department of Housing & Community Development, to explore preservation as a housing strategy. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your…

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August 25, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore County Helps Older Adults Age in Place, Earns National Recognition
County News / Feature / Housing and Community Development / NACo Achievement Awards
Baltimore County Helps Older Adults Age in Place, Earns National Recognition

Baltimore County earned a 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for a public-private partnership helping older residents remain safely and independently in their homes. The Baltimore County Age-Friendly Upgrades for Seniors, BCAUSE program, earned recognition in NACo’s Human Services category. Piloted in 2020 and established in 2021, the program provides comprehensive home repairs and accessibility upgrades for low-income older adults who want to age in place. Informed by the CAPABLE model, Community Aging…

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August 25, 2026
Read more about the article Summer MACoCon Is Over but the Conversations Continue
County Budgets / County News / Cyber / Elections / Energy / Environment / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Human Resources / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference
Summer MACoCon Is Over but the Conversations Continue

The 2026 Summer MACoCon might be over, but many of the conversations that filled the convention center's halls are ongoing. In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Shantelle Malcolm-Lym is joined by Karrington Anderson and Dominic Butchko to look back at what stood out at MACoCon and, more importantly, what comes next. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in…

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August 21, 2026
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