Howard County Housing & Community Development

10/14/2026

Last week, the Leola Dorsey Resource Center hosted our 2nd Mental Health First Aid training, designed to help participants recognize, understand and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges, and offer the first level of support.

Thank you to the attendees from Howard County Street Outreach, Bridges to Housing Stability, Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services, the Leola Dorsey security team, and private citizens for participating in this training and learning new skills to bring back to their day-to-day work.

This training was provided by The Healthy Church ([email protected]).

10/08/2026

Learning, collaborating, and bringing fresh ideas back to our community!
Some of the DHCD team attended the National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) conference to dive deep into key topics impacting housing and local development.

10/01/2026

Thank you to our partners at the Leola Dorsey Resource Center who have been a vital part of our expansion. In addition to the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Day Resource staff, Howard County Health Department’s peer recovery specialists, and Howard County Office of Work Development employment specialist who are here weekly, we are supported by monthly outreach visits from several organizations and will continue to expand our services and impact as part of Howard County’s Coalition to End Homelessness.

Thanks again to all our partners for your compassion and tireless efforts to support the community at Leola Dorsey.

09/25/2026

Congratulations again to Catherine Wellman and all the other amazing County employee winners!

09/24/2026

Congratulations to the Department of Housing and Community Development on earning 12 nominations and 3 wins at today’s Howard County Employee Recognition Ceremony!

Special congratulations to our award recipients:
• Cat Wellman – Manager of the Year
• Garshet Holmes – Great Idea Award
• Erica Smith – Unsung Hero

We also want to congratulate Christine Martin on her nomination for Employee of the Year!

Our ongoing commitment to exceptional customer service and providing housing and homelessness assistance continues to drive us to put our best foot forward every day. Thank you to our team for their hard work and dedication!

09/18/2026

Howard County Government has been recognized with 113 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards!

We are especially proud to share that the Department of Housing & Community Development earned 4 of these prestigious awards for our innovative programs and service to the community.

Thank you to our incredible team and leadership for their dedication to making Howard County a wonderful place for everyone to call home!

08/07/2026

Howard County Housing & Community Development and its partners have helped more than 3,400 residents build a strong foundation for successful homeownership through homebuyer education.

Becoming a homeowner begins long before someone receives the keys.

Since 2019, Howard County Housing & Community Development and our nonprofit partners have provided homebuyer education to more than 3,400 individuals. That knowledge empowers residents to make informed decisions, avoid predatory financial products, and prepare for success after closing.

OWN is about more than helping someone purchase a house. It is about giving residents the information, resources, and confidence they need to remain successful homeowners for years to come. Learn more at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/housing-community-development/own-initiatives.

07/28/2026

THRIVE TOGETHER BACK-TO-
SCHOOL BASH IS ALMOST HERE!

Get ready for an afternoon filled with fun, community, and everything your family needs to kick off the new school year with confidence!

Join the Howard County Housing Commission and Howard Connect, Inc. for their annual

THRIVE Together Back-to-School Bash on:
Friday, August 7, 2026 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Columbia Commons
7601 Woodpark Lane, Columbia, MD 21046

Event Highlights:

-100 FREE backpacks (while supplies last)
- 17 FREE children's haircuts (Ages 1-12 by appointment)
- FREE food trucks featuring Toogi's Smash Burgers & Kona Ice
- Games, arts & crafts, and family activities Scooter, bicycle, and helmet giveaways
- Workforce training scholarship opportunities
- Meet local community organizations offering valuable resources for families

Howard County Housing and Community Development will be providing a table for this event.

07/15/2026

Due the the Heat Advisory today, the Leola Dorsey Center is open as a cooling center starting at 11am.

Due to the Heat Advisory on July 15, 2026, the Leola Dorsey Center will be open as a cooling center at 11 am for access to air conditioning, restrooms and water. The Grassroots Day Resource Center programs will be available at their regular time from 2-6 pm for hot meals, showers, laundry, and access to food and clothing pantries.

The Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey is located at 10390 Guilford Road in Jessup. Please stay safe!

07/01/2026

If you need assistance during this Code Orange event please contact Grassroots at 410-531-6677 or report to the crisis center at 8990 Old Annapolis Rd, Ste A, in Columbia for support. The Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey (10390 Guilford Rd, Ste A, in Jessup) will be open as a cooling center. Please stay cool and hydrated.

A Code Orange has been issued in Howard County due to extreme heat beginning July 1 through July 5. Individuals who are experiencing homelessness can call Grassroots at 410-531-6677 or report to the crisis center at 8990 Old Annapolis Rd, Ste A, in Columbia for support. The Day Resource Center at Leola Dorsey (10390 Guilford Rd, Ste A, in Jessup) will be open as a cooling center. Please stay safe.