TOWSON, MD—County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Monday signed legislation creating Baltimore County’s first dedicated Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to help ensure access to affordable housing, provide housing stability support, and develop stronger neighborhoods by providing community revitalization supports in a timely and efficient manner.

Additionally, Olszewski signed legislation officially renaming the Department of Public Works to the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT), reflecting the Olszewski administration’s sustained commitment to thoughtful transportation planning.

“We’re proud to take these important steps forward to modernize our government, providing an overdue focus on efforts to improve access to quality housing, build more resilient neighborhoods, and create 21st century transportation systems across Baltimore County,” Olszewski said. “These new and reimagined departments will continue building capacity in our communities and support our ongoing work to build a better Baltimore County for every resident.”

Of the state’s largest jurisdictions, Baltimore County is the only one that does not currently operate a dedicated housing and community development department.

Baltimore County’s new Department of Housing and Community Development will improve coordination, eliminate overlapping functions, and streamline planning for key outcomes that are currently dispersed across multiple departments.