Commissioner at Baltimore

About the Organization

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) was created in 1968 and works to ensure that all Baltimore City residents have access to safe, affordable housing in thriving neighborhoods. With over 700 employees and an annual budget of $88M, DHCD is dedicated to expanding housing options, fostering healthy communities, and preventing displacement through investments, code enforcement, property redevelopment, community capacity-building, and support for various programs, including emergency assistance and summer food initiatives.

DHCD also focuses on preserving and developing affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income residents through subsidies, financing, and site assembly assistance. DHCD also supports neighborhood stability and affordable housing through home ownership repair programs, homeowner counseling, and homebuyer incentives. It promotes safe housing through code inspections, litigation, and a national receivership program, while also overseeing permitting, demolition, revitalization, and property registration and licensing.

This is a defining moment in Baltimore s history of housing and neighborhood restoration. For the first time, the City, the State of Maryland, business, non-profit, faith, and philanthropic partners are aligning behind a bold, multi-billion-dollar strategy to transform tens of thousands of vacant and abandoned properties into safe, productive homes.

Please visit the following sites for more information about Baltimore City:

• City of Baltimore
• Visit Baltimore
• Live Baltimore

DHCD leads City efforts to promote thriving neighborhoods through community revitalization investments; supporting homeowners; funding critical programs and neighborhood stakeholders; creating and preserving affordable housing; and ensuring safe conditions through code enforcement.

A Baltimore where current and future residents live in safe and decent housing in thriving, inclusive and equitable neighborhoods.

• Equity and Inclusion
• Customer Service
• Innovation
• Integrity and Transparency
• Partnership
• Sustainability

DHCD is committed to affirmatively further fair housing by promoting non-discrimination, fair and equal housing opportunities, fair housing choice, and to fostering inclusive communities. DHCD implements its programs in a manner that is consistent with the fair housing laws, including but not limited to the Fair Housing Act and the Maryland and Baltimore City laws, which prohibit discrimination in housing or services directly or indirectly on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, familial status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, and ancestry.

About the Role

The Head of Department (Commissioner) is a mayoral appointee responsible for providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, and effective management of the entire department, including a team of lawyers. This includes oversight and compliance of all federal and state grants, working with developers to drive housing development and redevelopment, creating incentives for new home owners, setting housing policy, and leading all housing related communications.

The Housing Commissioner will partner closely with the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, the Mayor s Office of Homeless Services, residents, community organizations, philanthropic entities, nonprofits, and other government agencies in implementing the department s strategic agenda and budget priorities.

Strategic Leadership & Operational Oversight of Department

• Champion the creation and execution of a forward-looking strategic framework that addresses housing affordability, community equity, neighborhood stabilization, and anti‑displacement.
• Provide executive oversight of all departmental divisions—from development and enforcement to planning, policy, finance, and communications.
• Oversee departmental budgets, capital investments, grants, and bond approvals, ensuring effective allocation of City resources.
• Submit annual reports to the Mayor, maintain central records for enforcement activities, and uphold transparency and…