4 Key Updates You Must Know About The Housing Authority Of Prince George's County (HAPGC) In 2025
The Housing Authority of Prince George's County (HAPGC) is one of Maryland’s most critical government agencies, serving thousands of low-to-moderate-income residents across the county with essential housing assistance and community development programs. As of late 2025, the agency is navigating a period of intense public scrutiny and massive demand, highlighted by the recent, highly-publicized reopening of its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waitlist, a move that underscored the severe affordable housing crisis in the region.
The current landscape for HAPGC is defined by this overwhelming demand for housing assistance, significant forward-looking budget planning for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, and ongoing legal challenges regarding fair housing practices. Understanding these latest developments is crucial for current residents, prospective applicants, community partners, and local policymakers interested in the future of affordable housing in Prince George's County.
HAPGC Leadership and Organizational Profile
The Housing Authority of Prince George’s County (HAPGC) is a semi-autonomous governmental agency established in 1969. Its mission is to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing opportunities to County residents with low to moderate incomes. HAPGC manages a variety of federal and local programs, most notably the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), formerly known as Section 8, and various public housing developments across the county.
Key Personnel and Organizational Structure
- Acting Interim Executive Director: Nicole G. Garrett (Note: Ms. Garrett is listed as the Acting Interim Executive Director, indicating a period of leadership transition. The county has also announced the appointment of Jessica Anderson-Preston to the Executive Director role, signaling a forthcoming change in permanent leadership).
- Parent Department: The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) of Prince George's County.
- Governing Body: The HAPGC Board of Commissioners, which oversees the agency's policies and strategic direction.
- Establishment: 1969.
The Housing Crisis Shockwave: HCV Waitlist Reopening (Late 2025 Update)
The single most defining event for HAPGC in the recent past was the brief, but monumental, reopening of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program waitlist. This program, which provides rental assistance to low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities, saw demand that far outstripped available resources, illustrating the depth of the affordable housing shortage in the region.
Overwhelming Demand for Housing Choice Vouchers
For the first time since 2015, the Housing Authority of Prince George's County began accepting preliminary applications for the HCV waitlist. The application period was short—only a few days in early December 2025—but the response was unprecedented.
- Application Period: The waitlist was open for preliminary applications from December 1 to December 5, 2025.
- Applicant Volume: Over 47,000 individuals and families applied for a spot on the waitlist.
- Available Spots: The lottery system was designed to select only 5,000 applicants for the waitlist, meaning only about 10% of applicants would be given a chance at future housing assistance.
This massive influx of applications—more than nine times the number of available slots—sends a clear signal to Prince George's County policymakers: the need for subsidized housing is at an all-time high. The HAPGC is now tasked with processing this enormous pool of hopeful applicants via a lottery system, a process that will take considerable time and resources.
The closure of the waitlist means that no new applications for the HCV Program are being accepted currently. Prospective applicants must monitor the official Prince George's County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) website for future announcements, as waitlist openings are rare and unpredictable.
Legal Challenges and Fair Housing Compliance
Despite the critical nature of its services, HAPGC is currently facing significant legal and compliance challenges, particularly concerning its treatment of residents with disabilities. These issues highlight the ongoing need for rigorous enforcement of federal fair housing laws within public housing entities.
Federal Lawsuit by Disability Rights Maryland (DRM)
Disability Rights Maryland (DRM), the state’s federally designated Protection and Advocacy agency, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Housing Authority of Prince George's County. The suit alleges violations of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), specifically concerning accessibility and discriminatory practices.
A key point of contention in the lawsuit is the alleged requirement of a "sponsorship form" for certain applicants with disabilities. DRM contends that this requirement is illegal and places an undue burden on individuals seeking housing assistance who have disabilities, potentially violating their civil rights and access to equal housing opportunities. The HAPGC is actively working to address these fair housing impediments, including updating its Section 504 Needs Assessment and engaging in a Settlement Agreement with DRM to address past issues.
Focus on Section 504 and Accessibility
The legal pressure is forcing HAPGC to prioritize its compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires federally funded programs to be accessible to people with disabilities. The agency's most recent planning documents indicate a critical need to update its inventory and ensure that all public housing developments meet current accessibility standards.
Future Outlook: FY 2026 Budget and Development Initiatives
The financial and strategic planning for the upcoming fiscal year offers insight into HAPGC’s priorities for development, modernization, and continued service provision. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget reflects a commitment to increasing resources for housing and community development.
Key Budgetary Highlights for FY 2026
The proposed budget for the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), which oversees HAPGC, includes a notable increase in grant funding.
- Proposed Grant Budget: The FY 2026 proposed grant budget is set at $10,495,100.
- Budget Increase: This represents an increase of $516,600, or 5.2%, over the previous fiscal year.
- Focus Areas: The funding is intended to support the Housing Assistance Division, which manages the HCV Program, and to sustain operating expenses necessary for maintaining the county's housing inventory.
Public Housing Repositioning Strategy
In addition to managing the massive HCV Program, HAPGC is pursuing a strategy to modernize and improve its physical inventory of public housing developments. This initiative, often called "repositioning," involves leveraging federal programs to revitalize aging properties.
HAPGC has submitted a Repositioning Application for five of its Public Housing developments. This move is crucial for the long-term sustainability of affordable housing in the county, as it allows the agency to secure capital for major repairs and upgrades, ensuring that the properties remain safe, decent, and viable for the residents of Prince George's County for decades to come.
The combined challenges of overwhelming public demand, a federal lawsuit on disability rights, and a renewed focus on modernization define the current operational environment of the Housing Authority of Prince George's County. The agency remains a vital lifeline for thousands of residents, and its actions over the next fiscal year will be critical in shaping the future of affordable housing in the region.
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