Ch. 6

LAWS OF MARYLAND

(3)  The need for financing for housing or public or
private facilities to upgrade the social and economic conditions
of the distressed area;

(4)  The plans and financial commitment of the
municipality or county to undertake improvements in the
distressed area; and

(5)  Other standards and criteria deemed relevant by
the Secretary, including standards established for other relevant
State or federal programs.

(j) "Energy conservation project" means:

(2) With respect to a residential building, planning
and technical services, any residential energy audit, and any
conversion from master utility meters to individual utility
meters, which are related to or undertaken with the installation
of any of the items specified in [subsection (e)(1) of this
section] PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION;

(4) With respect to a commercial building, any
planning or technical service, and any commercial energy audit,
if the service or audit is related to or undertaken with the
installation, or the modification of an installation, which
includes any of the items specified in [subsection (e)(1) of this
section] PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION.

(v) "Person" has the meaning stated in [§ 13-402 of Article
41A] ARTICLE 41A, § 6-302(M) for the purpose of providing
financial assistance for an energy conservation project or a
solar energy project.

(w) "Public purpose project" means any undertaking or
project which is (1) eligible, in whole or in part, for federal
low-income housing credits or (2) located in a distressed area
including land, buildings, and other improvements, real, mixed
and personal properties, or an interest therein, that is planned,
acquired, owned, developed, constructed, reconstructed,
rehabilitated, repaired, renovated, or improved with the
financial assistance of the Administration or the assistance of
federal low-income housing credits as may be authorized by the
Code. While public purpose projects may include improvements
such as streets, roads, sewer and water lines, and such other
public or private facilities intended for commercial,
educational, cultural, recreational, community or other civic
purposes, public purpose projects shall provide in substantial
part for existing or new housing, unless it is determined by the
Secretary of [Economic] HOUSING and Community Development that
sound community development is promoted by including a greater
proportion of public or private facilities. The housing portion
of a public purpose project shall be occupied in whole or in part
by families of limited incomes.

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