Anne Arundel County Affordable Housing Symposium
SAVE THE DATE
4th ANNUAL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2026
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ABOUT
Anne Arundel County
Affordable Housing Symposium
This symposium is a one-day, in-person, gathering of stakeholders in housing and community development working together to better understand affordable housing issues. We are convening an acclaimed series of special guests, speakers and panelists. These experts will explore a range of critical issues—to include county and state-level legislation and funding, county housing codes for moderately-priced and accessory units, tenant’s rights and protections, non-profit and mission-driven developer partnerships, affordable housing and economic development opportunities and advocacy—in affordable housing to meet the needs of Anne Arundel County residents, to strengthen the community and to benefit the local economy.
The Honorable U.S. Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth
Senator Chris Van Hollen
Shaneka T. Henson, Maryland State Senator
2026 Program - SNEAK PEEK
From Barriers to Breakthroughs: Community Solutions for Affordable Housing
9:00 - 9:30 AM
Welcomes and Greetings and Remarks
Heather East Chase Home Private Foundation, Executive Director
MC - Pam Brown AACo. Partnership for Children, Youth and Families, Executive Director
Jared Littmann Mayor of Annapolis
David Michaels Chase Home Symposium Producer
Introduction of Symposium Advisors and St. John College Interns Advisors: Georgi Banna, Janssen Evelyn, Dana Jones, & Danielle Meister SJC Interns: Therese Franks & Noah Bush
Nikki Tyree Executive Director of League of Women Voters of Maryland Introduces
Allison Pickard Democratic Representative for County Executive
Dave Crawford Republican Representative for County Executive
9:35 AM - 11:05 AM PANEL ONE
Deeply Affordable, Supportive, and Inclusive Housing: Building Sustainable Communities that Anne Arundel County Needs:
Panelists will examine innovative development models, sustainable financing, supportive services, and policy solutions that fosters stable housing, strengthen communities, reduce homelessness, and create equitable opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
Moderators
Georgi Banna Board Chair for the Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County (HCAAC)
Janssen Evelyn Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Anne Arundel County
Panelists
Erin Karpewicz Chief Executive Officer of Arundel Community Development Services, Inc
Jen Schiller CEO of the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH)
David Alt Executive Director of Light House Shelter
Pat Sheridan Principal at Sheridan Consulting LLC
Pamela Agava Associate Director Corporation for Supportive Housing Mid-Atlantic Team
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM PANEL TWO
Fast-Tracking Housing Production: Permitting, Process, Financing and Policy Solutions
The Panel will explore practical strategies to accelerate the production of affordable housing by addressing the regulatory, financial, and administrative barriers that delay development.
Moderators
Georgi Banna Board Chair for the Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County (HCAAC)
Janssen Evelyn Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Anne Arundel County
Panelists
Steven Palmer Maryland’s Housing Ombudsman
Jenny Dempsey Dir of the Office of Planning and Zoning (OPZ) for Anne Arundel County
Amy Gowen CEO at the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation
Trevor Tolbert Senior Vice President, PNC MultiFamily Capital Team
Dr. Kathyrn Howell Director of the National Center for Smart Growth - UMD
LUNCH 12:30 PM
1:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Luncheon Keynote Speaker
Jacob R. Day Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development
1:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Housing Award to Honor the Service of an Individual in the County
1:30 to 2:30 PM
Symposium's Round Table: From Data to Action, Affordable is not Affordable to Everyone
How evidence-based policy and housing research can be turned into practical solutions and create housing opportunities for seniors, working families, and young adults.
Moderator
Kayla Gilchris Senior Housing Advocacy Organizer National Low Income Housing Coalition
Roundtable Guests
Brooke Lierman Maryland Comptroller
Steuart Pittman Anne Arundel County Executive
Jared Littmann Mayor of Annapolis
Melissa Maddox-Evans, Esq Executive Director/CEO Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis
Pam Brown Executive Director of the AACo. Partnership for Children, Youth and Families
2026 Program Speakers
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Secretary Jake Day
Department of Housing and Community Development, State of Maryland
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Brooke Lierman
Maryland Comptroller
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Steven Palmer
Maryland’s Housing Ombudsman
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County Executive Steuart Pittman
Anne Arunel County
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Mayor Jared Littmann
Mayor of Annapolis
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Councilwoman Allison Pickard
Democratic Representative for County Executive
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Dave Crawford
Republican Representative for County Executive
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Gavin Buckley
Former mayor of Annapolis
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Pamela Agava
Associate Director, Corporation for Supportive Housing Mid-Atlantic Team
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David Alt
Executive Director, Light House Shelter
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Pam Brown
Executive Director, A.A. County Partnership for Youth, Children & Families
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Georgi Banna
General Counsel & Director of Strategic Initiatives, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
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Jenny Dempsey
Director, Office of Planning and Zoning for A.A. County
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Heather East
Executive Director, Chase Home, Inc.
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Janssen Evelyn
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Anne Arundel County
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Kayla Gilchrist
Senior Housing Advocacy Organizer, National Low Income Housing Coalition
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Amy Gowan
CEO, Anne Arundel County Economic Development Center
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Dr. Kathryn Howell
Director, UMD National Center for Smart Growth
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Melissa Maddox-Evans, Esq
Executive Director/CEO, Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis
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Erin Karpewicz
Chief Executive Officer, Arundel Community Development Services
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Jen Schiller
Chief Executive Officer, Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH)
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Patrick Sheridan
Principal, Sheridan Consulting LLC
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Trevor Tolbert
Senior Vice President, PNC MultiFamily Capital Team
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Nikki Tyree
Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Maryland
Advisory Board
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Georgi Banna
General Counsel & Director of Strategic Initiatives, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
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Janssen Evelyn
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Anne Arundel COunty
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Dana Johnson
President and CEO, Homes for America
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Danielle Meister
Assistant Secretary, Maryland DHCD Division of Homeless Solutions
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David Michaels
Symposium Producer
PRIOR SYMPOSIUM GALLERY
2026 SPONSORSHIP LEVELS & FEES
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Official Introduction and Thank You at Opening Welcome by Keynote Speaker
Company logo featured on Event Screen during all Symposium Panel Sessions
Company logo is included in Printed Program, Social Media and Event Website
Dedicated Sponsorship Table for Marketing Materials
Your Logo Custom Branded on Official Symposium Attendee Tote Bags
8 Company Registrations
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Opening Welcome Recognition
Exclusive Sponsorship of a Symposium Panel Presentation, Workshop or Breakfast
Company logo is included in Printed Program, Social Media and Event Website
Dedicated Sponsorship Table for Marketing Materials
Your Swag in Our Bag (Symposium Tote Bag with your Brand Materials)
3 Company Registrations
-
Official Thank you at Opening Welcome Time
Company logo featured on Event Screen during all Symposium Panel Sessions
Company logo is included in Printed Program, Social Media and Event Website
Identify as Sponsor for one Panel Presentation
Dedicated Sponsorship Table for Marketing Materials
Your Swag in Our Bag (Symposium Tote Bag with your Brand Materials)
5 Company Registration
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Official recognition at the Symposium
Company logo is included in Printed Program, Social Media and Event Website
Your Swag in Our Bag (Symposium Tote Bag with your Brand Materials)
2 Company Registration
-
Workshop Table Sponsor
Name and Logo printed on Luncheon/Advocacy Workshop Table Tent
Name recognition in Printed Program, Social Media and Event Website
2 Coalition & Advocate Registrations
-
Company logo is included in Printed Program, Social Media and Event Website
Your Swag in Our Bag (Symposium Tote Bag with your Brand Materials)
2 Company Registration
-
Name recognition in Printed Program, Social Media and Event Website
1 Friend Sponsor Registration
PLEASE NOTE: Transaction Fee on your payment is an OPTIONAL contribution to Zeffy, you choose!
By leaving a contribution you are... Covering the transaction fees on your payment (Your Transaction Fee is Flexible) Chase Home can also Invoice you and accepts checks.
What People Are Saying
“Since my time in the State Senate, I’ve been working on solutions to expand affordable housing options for our communities – and the Chase Home Foundation has been a partner through it all. Thank you for inviting me to give remarks at the 3rd Annual Symposium.”
— Representative Sarah Elfreth
“Thanks for coordinating! It was a great event. It is vitally important for everybody to be able to talk to each other, discuss specific problems and solutions.”
— Adam
“[I] was part of an engaging panel discussion at the 2025 Anne Arundel County Affordable Housing Symposium.”
— Secretary Jake Day
There was passion in the room that must be present to fix these issues. I have been a Social Worker for 35 years and I am still facing the same challenges of getting housing assistance for my families. Hearing from so many people with the ability to impact our families offered me hope that I have not had in a long time.”
— Myra LCSW-C Community School Program Manager
“What a great day of collaboration. So many great ideas about what we can do now and in the future to make sure affordable housing is always here in Anne Arundel County.”
— MD Senator Shaneka Henson
“Thanks for coordinating! It was a great event. It is vitally important for everybody to be able to talk to each other, discuss specific problems and solutions.”
— Adam
2026 REGISTRATION
You are Cordially Invited To Attend
The 4th Annual Anne Arundel County Affordable Housing Symposium
Click Here To Register
Important Registration & Compliance Notice
Registration for this event is $25 for all attendees, including elected officials, public servants, and political candidates. In strict compliance with federal law governing 501(c)(3) organizations, this event is strictly non-partisan, and our organization does not endorse, support, or oppose any candidate or political party.
Public officials and candidates attend solely as members of the general audience. No campaign materials, fundraising, or political campaigning will be permitted on the premises.
Elected officials and public employees are solely responsible for ensuring that their payment of the $25 registration fee complies with all applicable local, state, and federal ethics rules, gift bans, and financial disclosure reporting requirements.
Please note: The $25 registration fee covers the fair market value of the event materials and refreshments provided; therefore, this payment is not deductible as a charitable contribution for federal income tax purposes.
RESOURCES
Anne Arundel County to Develop New Workforce Housing Project
Through the leveraging of federal, state, and private resources, a County fund is available for the development of rental projects. This specific development, Eagle Park, will accommodate those earning less than 60 percent of the county’s median income.
The Anne Arundel County Law Which Protects Against Housing Discrimination
To ensure fair housing for County residents, Anne Arundel County has in place a law which protects those seeking housing from discrimination. A person cannot be discriminated against for any reason of race, occupation, religion, and other personal characteristics.
Anne Arundel County Makes Mortgage Assistance More Accessible
Changes to the County’s Mortgage Assistance Program have allowed for more county residents to make use of an improved mortgage assistance system; under the recent changes almost half of the county workforce is eligible for up to $50,000 in mortgage assistance.
Zip Code Matters: How Communities Are Deprived of Opportunity
A person’s ZIP Code has been shown to have a greater impact on health and well-being than their genetic code, affecting access to education, transportation, and wealth. How is this possible? From Writer/Director Sena Mourad Friedman, Executive Producer Will Lucas, Producer Erickson Blakney and sponsored by The Fair Housing Center comes the provocative new documentary ZIP CODE MATTERS which boldly asks the question and gets profound and insightful answers from the nation’s leading policymakers, nonprofit executives, public health officials and social scientists, researchers, authors, and civil rights and social justice activists. Audiences will learn about the connection between ZIP Codes and the forecast for life outcomes.
The Rights of Renters, According to the Federal Government
Published by the White House, this document is a statement of the principles which the federal government believes renters should be entitled. The blueprint is not law but is intended to promote fairness for citizens living in rental housing.
New Act by State Will Hold Landlords Accountable for Bad Practice
Allowing tenants to raise issues against their landlords, the Rental Licensing Accountability Act will give tenants a voice without fear of unlawful treatment from their landlords. The law calls for courts to be stricter in their dealings with landlords, putting a stop to unfair eviction practices.
RESEARCH & REPORTS
“Poverty Amidst Plenty”, A Comprehensive County Report
A comprehensive report on the state of our county conducted by the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County. This report supplies clear statistics about poverty, the housing and rental market, and homelessness (Chapter 2). Recommended reading for any person curious about the state of the county.
Report: Recommended Policies to Curb the Housing Crisis
Examining the unhealthy state of housing in our County, this report recommends intelligent solutions which would improve our situation. By defining what the answers are, and what policy might be implemented, this report is insightful, dealing with our current problems, and how we may answer them.
The Needs of the City of Annapolis
Conducted by Annapolis Housing Affordability Task Force, the “Needs Assessment Study Report” report assesses the state of housing affordability in the City of Annapolis. Through a presentation of statistics, the disparity between earnings and living costs becomes clear.
NEWS
Affordable Housing In The News
“Thousands of Marylanders will end up without housing with new Trump policy”
“Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day exclusively told WYPR that 3,300 people and 1,100 children will lose housing due to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s revamp of the Continuum of Care program.
Both of Maryland’s U.S. senators signed onto a letter expressing concern about the Continuum of Care change.
“HUD should make the responsible choice to renew current CoC grants, proactively work with communities to promote other proven strategies ‘based on research and after notice and public comment’ and work to ensure any policy changes meet all legal requirements to avoid more funding delays,” they wrote in the letter.”“In Anne Arundel, a split over housing and neighbors who want less of it”
“Why rent is up more in Anne Arundel than anywhere in Maryland"
““By even having that conversation, it’s telling builders: ‘You can’t plan on anything because we might change the rules on you,’” Gross said. “I’ve heard that from a lot of people in this industry that there’s a lot of unpredictability in this market. … A lot of people have stopped trying.”
Pickard added that very little county land is zoned to allow apartments. Its 533 miles of shoreline are a draw, but also feature environmental regulations that restrict building.
That’s visible in the county’s persistent 1-2% vacancy rate for apartments, which amounts to “a supply issue that drives up the rents,” she said.
Gross said the county’s builders largely focus on higher-end apartments.”Governor Moore Dedicates $13.4 Million to the Development of Affordable Housing
Governor Wes Moore has announced $13.4 million in support of projects which develop or preserve affordable housing in the state. $6.5 million of that fund will be supporting the construction of a 72-unit community in Hanover, Anne Arundel County.
Rising Eviction Rates in Anne Arundel County
Even the lowest housing prices in the county remain unrealistic for hard-working residents. In a Glen Burnie apartment complex, residents are struggling to keep pace with the demands of their landlords.
Anne Arundel County to Develop New Workforce Housing Project
Through the leveraging of federal, state, and private resources, a County fund is available for the development of rental projects. This specific development, Eagle Park, will accommodate those earning less than 60 percent of the county’s median income.
Montgomery County Developing its ‘Largest Ever’ Affordable Housing Project
The new rental units, on Randolph Street in Silver Spring, will house 168 families across six units; the units are accommodating families who earn between 30 to 60 percent of the area’s median income.
‘Hope Village’: New Affordable Housing Community Under Construction in East Baltimore
The privately funded 13-unit development will supply small homes for families who struggle financially, they will only cost these families $25,000.
How State and Local Governments Are Building Affordable Housing
State and Local Governments have been taking a more direct approach to housing development. To meet the needs of their own communities, they are enacting local legislation to push self-sufficient development.
Anne Arundel County Makes Mortgage Assistance More Accessible
Changes to the County’s Mortgage Assistance Program have allowed for more county residents to make use of an improved mortgage assistance system; under the recent changes almost half of the county workforce is eligible for up to $50,000 in mortgage assistance.
New Act by State Will Hold Landlords Accountable for Bad Practice
Allowing tenants to raise issues against their landlords, the Rental Licensing Accountability Act will give tenants a voice without fear of unlawful treatment from their landlords. The law calls for courts to be stricter in their dealings with landlords, putting a stop to unfair eviction practices.