and nonprofit organizations to contribute local
resources for developments funded through this
program.
The Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
(EMA) was developed and merged into MHFP in
1989. Its forerunner was the Home Ownership
Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
(HEMAP), which was created by the General As-
sembly in 1984. The Program provides mortgage
assistance to help home owners who are in im-
minent danger of losing their homes. Working
through housing counseling agencies, shnrr-rerm
loans are provided to eligible home owners. Funds
for the Program are provided from general obliga-
tion bonds.
The Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELF)
was begun by the General Assembly in 1988. The
Program provides low interest loans for settlement
expenses to eligible low- and moderate-income
home buyers who do not have sufficient resources
to purchase an affordable home.
The Reverse Equity Mortgage Program (REMP)
was established by the General Assembly in 1986
and first funded in 1988 through CDA reserve
funds. The Program enables older Maryland home
owners to gain access to the accumulated equity in
their homes without having to sell or move. No
repayment of the loan is required until the eligible
borrower dies, sells the house, or permanently
moves out of the home.

SPECIAL LOAN PROGRAMS
Vance T. Morris, Director
514-7565

In 1986, the General Assembly created new
special rehabilitation programs to address the hous-
ing needs of low-income households. With Scare
general funds, these programs provide low-interest,
no-interest, or deferred loans for 20-year terms.
Limited-income home owners and landlords of
rental properties who rent to limited-income
households may qualify for loans under the Indoor
Plumbing Program and the Residential Lead Paint
Abatement Program. The Indoor Plumbing Program
provides loans to finance indoor plumbing and
related systems in buildings that lack indoor plumb-
ing or have failing plumbing systems. Loans
through the Residential Lead Paint Abatement Pro-
gram finance lead paint abatement in residential
buildings.
The Accessory, Shared, and Sheltered Housing Pro-
gram provides loans to limited-income home
owners for housing modifications that create acces-
sory dwelling units or provide for shared housing
arrangements. Home owners also may receive loans
to modify housing in order to provide sheltered
housing for up to fifteen income-eligible elderly,
handicapped, or disabled persons.

The Group Home Acquisition Program (GHAP)
was authorized by the General Assembly in 1986
and is funded with spedal funds. GHAP provides
financing to nonprofit organizations to acquire and
modify housing for group homes and temporary and
emergency shelters that serve low-income persons.
By making low-interest loans available for repair
and renovation, the Maryland Housing Rehabilita-
tion Program—Single Family (MHRP—SF) preser-
ves the State's stock of existing owner-occupied
one- to four-unit dwellings. Owner-occupants and
tenants of rental properties must meet income
guidelines established by the Administration.
MHRP—SF is administered under the same fund-
ing as MHRP—MF. The Livability Code
Rehabilitation Program was merged into MHRP—
SF on July 1,1990.
The Home and Energy Loan Program—Single
Family (HELP—SF) finances loans for energy con-
servation and home improvements in owner-oc-
cupied one- to four-unit dwellings. Loans are
administered by the Community Development Ad-
ministration, local housing agencies, and participat-
ing lenders. Owner-occupants and tenants of rental
properties must meet income guidelines established
by the Administration. HELP—SF is administered
under the same funding as HELP—ME

HOUSING SUBSIST PROGRAMS
Phillip L. Katzung, Director
514-7490

The Community Development Administration
administers federal funds to subsidize rental hous-
ing under the Section 8 Certificate/Voucher Program.
These funds come to the State through the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development
under the Federal Housing Act of 1937 (42 USC
1437, as amended).
Under the Section 8 Certificate/Voucher Pro-
gram, participating landlords make available to low-
income families rental housing that meets
occupancy standards. To qualify, total family in-
come must be 50 percent or less of the median
income for the area in which the housing is located.
Through local administering agencies, the Com-
munity Development Administration accepts and
reviews applications from prospective tenants for
participation in the program. Families that qualify
are issued Certificates of Family Participation.
Under the Certificate Program, owners who
agree to rent to qualifying families sign a contract
with the Community Development Administration
or the local administering agency that guarantees
payments to the owner as long as the housing and
lease adhere to federal standards. Through the
Community Development Administration, the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment subsidizes that part of the rent that exceeds