Annapolis, MD – Governor Wes Moore today announced the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has closed financing for the second phase of HELP Perry Point Veterans Village in Perryville. The Department will administer more than $23 million to support the creation of additional homes for at-risk and formerly homeless veterans and their families on the campus of the Perry Point Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.
“To honor their sacrifice and their service, Maryland’s veterans deserve the highest level of care and support, and that includes a roof over their head,” said Gov. Moore. “This investment will functionally double the number of homes at HELP Perry Point Veterans Village, expanding access to stable housing and supportive services for veterans and their families threatened by homelessness.”
HELP Perry Point Veterans Village features permanent supportive housing for veterans and their families who are experiencing or in danger of experiencing chronic homelessness. When completed, HELP Perry Point Veterans Village Phase II will add 77 homes, more than doubling the capacity of the community. The approximately $23 million administered by the Department’s Community Development Administration includes funding from federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity, the HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program, and bond financing. Supported primarily by solar power, the Department also provided funds to ensure the community’s continued energy efficiency.
“Housing is a human right. No one in Maryland should have to experience homelessness, especially our veterans who sacrificed for this country,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “HELP Perry Point Veterans Village provides a safe space for veterans and their families to take the time to transition from chronic homelessness and acquire the tools to achieve future security and success.”
HELP Perry Point Veterans Village is part of the 400-acre VA Maryland Health Care System property at the confluence of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay in Cecil County. Served by ample public transportation, its location provides veteran residents with easy access to the Perry Point VA Medical Center care and other VA services ranging from case management and life skills training to mental health care and psychotherapy.
Opened in 2018, HELP Perry Point Veterans Village is sponsored by HELP USA, and its nonprofit affiliate, HELP Development Corporation, will serve as lead developer for this second phase of construction. Founded as a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York in 1986, HELP USA seeks to fight back against homelessness at every stage with prevention, emergency shelter, supportive services, and permanent, affordable housing efforts. HELP USA operates more than 70 sites and programs across the country and has supported nearly 550,000 people.
“Securing public investment marks an important milestone in our commitment to ensuring that veterans and families who have experienced homelessness have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing,” said David Cleghorn, President and CEO of HELP Development Corp. “HELP Perry Point II will provide 77 quality apartments and, just as importantly, a foundation for residents to rebuild their lives and achieve long-term stability. We are grateful for the partnership and support of the State of Maryland, Cecil County, and the Veterans Administration. Together, we are turning collaboration into homes, hope, and opportunity for those who have served our nation.”
The Moore-Miller administration’s investment in HELP Perry Point reflects its broader commitment to expanding housing opportunities, addressing housing instability and meeting the needs of Maryland’s most vulnerable populations through its Division of Homeless Solutions. For more information about the State of Maryland’s work to create and preserve affordable rental housing
