OFFICE OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
Jonathan Herz, Manager
514-7236

The Office of Special Projects originated as the
Office of Housing Assistance, was renamed the
Office of Housing Development Assistance in
1990, and received its present name in 1991.
With both financial and technical assistance, the
Office of Special Projects helps nonprofit organiza-
tions and local governments develop and manage
housing projects and programs for low-income per-
sons. Among its programs are the Maryland Ap-
palachian Housing Fund, the Housing Development
Assistance Program, and the Maryland Capacity As-
sistance Program.
To keep local governments and other providers
of housing informed about housing matters, the
Office publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, TalkAbout
Housing. The Office also sponsors training on hous-
ing development and other housing issues.

OFFICE OF WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE
Cheryl D. Lockhart, Manager
514-7239

The Office of Weatherizarion Assistance ad-
ministers the Weatherizarion Assistance Program.
Formerly under the Department of Human
Resources, the Program became part of the Depart-
ment of Housing and Community Development in
1987 (Chapter 311, Acts of 1987). The Program
funds local, community-based service organizations
to help low-income, elderly, and disabled or hand-
icapped persons conserve energy The Program con-
tracts with seventeen local administering agencies
(county governments, community action agencies,
offices on aging, and nonprofit organizations) to
provide Weatherizarion assistance.
For eligible low-income households, the Pro-
gram provides up to $1,000 in weatherization
materials installed free of charge by certified
workers. Eligibility for assistance is determined by
family size and income. The major energy conserva-
tion measures include insulation, storm windows,
weatherstripping, caulking, hot water heater jack-
ets, pipe insulation, and clock thermostats.
Recipients stay warmer while spending less money
on fuel. The Program promotes community aware-
ness of energy conservation, provides jobs, and
stimulates the Weatherizarion industry

COMMERCIAL & GOVERNMENT
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Tara Clifford, Acting Director

100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032 514-7267

Commercial and Government Assistance
Programs is responsible for three offices: Commer-

cial Revitalization; Local Government Technical
Assistance; and Small Cities Community Develop-
ment Block Grant Program.

OFFICE OF COMMERCIAL REVTIAUZATION
(MAKTLAND MAIN STREET CENTER)
Tara Clifford, Manager
514-7260

The Office of Commercial Revitalization
provides community assistance for commercial
revitalizarion through the Maryland Main Street
Center. The Center offers planning, architectural
and financial assistance to communities interested
in revitalizing their downtown areas.
The Commercial District Management Authority
Grant Program, administered by the Office,
provides financial assistance to local governments
and merchant associations that wish to establish
downtown management authorities. The Office
also administers the State Action Loan for Targeted
Areas Program which offers gap financing for com-
mercial and residential projects in targeted areas of
communities throughout the State. TheMaiw Street
Improvement Program provides matching grants to
local governments and revitalizarion organizations
to stabilize traditional downtowns and neighbor-
hood commercial areas. The Office coordinates the
interagencyMiM'n Street Designation Program, which
recognizes and rewards communities that are com-
mitted to preserving the vitality of their downtown
and business districts.

OFFICE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
David A. Schultz, Manager
514-7250

The Office of Local Government Technical As-
sistance administers the Maryland Town Manager
Circuit Rider Grant Program. Through this pro-
gram, professional managers serve several small
communities at once, thereby providing these
towns with an increased capability to meet their
citizens' needs. The Office also is responsible for the
Rural Development Program; the Joint Funding
Committee, which identifies housing and com-
munity development needs and coordinates federal
and State resources to meet those needs; and the
Small Urban Waterfront Development Program,
which addresses the needs of small warerfront com-
munities by coordinating State and federal resour-
ces for community development. In addition, the
Office carries out responsibilities related to im-
plementation of the infrastructure finance loan pro-
gram and assists local communities by providing
financial management technical assistance.
The Local Government Infrastructure Financing
Program was created by the General Assembly in
1985 and began operation in 1987. The Program