OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Patricia J Payne, Secretary of
Housing & Community Development

100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032 (410) 514-7005

The Secretary of Housing and Community De-
velopment is chief executive officer of the Depart
ment Appointed by the Governor with Senate
advice and consent, the Secretary sets policy, prom
uigates rules and regulations, and determines the
strategies to fulfill the Department's mandate The
Secretary is responsible for the budget of the De
partment and the budgets of the boards, commis-
sions, and offices under its jurisdiction
The Secretary chairs the Lead Hazard Advisory
Committee and the Maryland Heritage Areas
Authority, and serves on the Governor's Executive
Council, the Cabinet Council on Criminal and
Juvenile Justice, the Subcabmet for Children,
Youth, and Families, the Maryland Affordable
Housing Trust, the Housing Finance Review Com-
mittee, and the Community Reinvestment Board
The Secretary also serves on the Emergency Man
agement Advisory Council, the State Commission
on Neighborhoods, the Lead Poisoning Prevention
Commission, the Advisory Committee for the Jef
ferson Patterson Historical Park and Museum, the
Maryland Museum of African American History
and Culture Commission, the Interagency Corn
mittee on Aging Services, the Interagency Eco-
nomic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning
Committee, and the Interdepartmental Advisory
Committee for Minority Affairs
The Secretary is assisted by the Deputy Secre
tary The Deputy Secretary is appointed by the
Secretary with the approval of the Governor

MARYLAND HOUSING POLICY COMMISSION
J Joseph dark, Chair, 1995
Richard B Willson, Jr , Vice-Chair, 1995

Staff Robert P Goodman (410) 514 7171

Created in 1983, the Maryland Housing Policy
Commission helps the Secretary ofHousing and Corn
mumty Development identify ways to increase housing
supply and ownership opportunities for people of low
and moderate mcome (Chapter 668, Acts of 1983)
Annually, the Commission updates the State
Housing Plan, assesses its implementation, and
issues a housing policy and needs statement for the
State The Commission recommends to the Secre
tary innovative programs to build, finance, insure,
and manage housing for families, elderly citizens,
and others inadequately served by the private mar
ket It also assists the Secretary, through a public
information service, to bring available housing re
sources to the attention of those in need
As an advocate of the housing needs of low and
moderate income people, the Commission testifies
before federal agencies. Congress, and the General
Assembly It also encourages and aids local govern
ments to solve housing problems cooperatively
The Commission has seventeen members Fif-
teen are appointed to four year terms by the Gov
ernor who names the chair and vice chair Two are
nonvotmg, ex officio members (Code 1957, Art
83B, sees 8 101 through 8 105)

DIVISION OF CREDIT ASSURANCE

Earl De Mans, Director

100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032 (410) 514 7350

The Division of Credit Assurance started as the
Division of Housing Insurance in 1987 It was
renamed the Division of Housing Credit Assurance
in 1990 (Chapter 321, Acts of 1990) and received
its present name in 1996 The Division is responsi
ble for the Maryland Housing Fund and asset
management for the multi family loan portfolio of
the Department