Chairman Sigaty and members of the County Council:

TThe Howard County League of Women Voters supports Council Resolutions 50-2009 and 51-2009, approving the terms and conditions of acquisition and rehabilitation for Sierra Woods, a 159-unit multi-family mixed-income rental housing project. The resolutions shall provide for a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement as well as financing for Sierra Woods Limited Partnership, a limited partnership of the State of Maryland and Howard County, Maryland. Sierra Woods Apartments are located in the vicinity of The Village of Long Reach in Columbia, Maryland.

The Agreement terms state that no fewer than 142 units shall be rented to Low Income Housing as set forth by the United States Department of Housing. The Partnership shall submit to the County a certificate of compliance with these terms of rental. The terms of agreement are for 40 years. Proposed financing shall be provided by Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program as well as by Low-Income Housing Tax Credit reservation.

The League urges the County Council to support Resolution 50-2009 based on the League's housing position of support for adequate housing choice, in a suitable living environment, within the economic reach of all citizens of all ages. As well, the League supports the maintenance of diverse housing types within Howard County.

Alice Giles
Board member: Co-Chair, Action Committee