Sec. 05.04.06.02. Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Act" means Housing and Community Development Article, Title 4, Subtitle 7, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(2) "Annual income" means total household income from all sources for persons who permanently reside in the unit, including wages, investment income, Social Security, retirement, disability, and unemployment benefits, less:

(a) Unusual or temporary income items as determined by the Department; and

(b) Abnormal expenses of a long-term nature, such as extraordinary medical, rehabilitation, or special education expenses.

(3) "Applicant" means a person or entity who applies for a loan or grant under the Program.

(4) "Borrower" means an owner who receives a loan under the Program.

(5) "Building" means a structure which satisfies the requirements of Regulation .04 of this chapter.

(6) "Child care center" has the meaning stated in Family Law Article, §5-570(c), Annotated Code of Maryland, and is licensed to operate as a child care center by the Department of Human Services.

(7) "Closing costs" means the total of all settlement costs and fees and, when applicable, initial payments for taxes, property insurance, title examination, or other expense items as determined by the Department.

(8) "Deferred payment loan" means a loan described in Regulation .07 of this chapter.

(9) "Department" means the Department of Housing and Community Development, a principal department of the State.

(10) "Director" means the Director of Single Family Housing Programs of the Department.

(11) "Elevated blood lead" means a quantity of lead in whole venous blood, expressed in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dl), that exceeds a threshold level which is specified by the Program and conforms with guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control.

(12) "Family of limited income" means one or more persons residing as a household in a dwelling unit whose total combined annual income does not exceed income limits established from time to time by the Secretary, in accordance with Housing and Community Development Article, §4-707, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(13) "Grant" means a grant made under the Program.

(14) "Grantee" means the recipient of a grant under the Program.

(15) "Lead-affected household" means a household that includes a child or pregnant woman who has been exposed to hazardous levels of lead, as shown by elevated blood lead levels or other medical evidence acceptable to the Department, or families at risk of lead poisoning.

(16) "Lead hazard reduction activity" means an activity described in Regulation .05A of this chapter.

(17) "Lead Poisoning Prevention Program" means the Program set forth in Environment Article, §§6-801-6-852, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(18) "Level I local administrator" means a political subdivision certified by the Department under Regulation .16B of this chapter.

(19) "Level II local administrator" means a political subdivision certified by the Department under Regulation .16C of this chapter.

(20) "Loan" means a loan made under the Program.

(21) "Local administrator" means a level I or level II local administrator.

(22) "MDE" means the Maryland Department of the Environment, a principal department of the State.

(23) "Owner-landlord" means an owner who leases all or a portion of a building, whether or not the owner resides in a dwelling unit located in the building.

(24) "Owner-occupant" means an owner who resides or intends to reside in a building which contains one dwelling unit.

(25) "Political subdivision" means:

(a) A municipal corporation in Maryland subject to the provisions of Article XI-E of the Constitution;

(b) The Mayor and City Council of Baltimore; and

(c) Any of the 23 counties in Maryland.

(26) "Program" means the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant and Loan Program described in this chapter.

(27) "Program Director" means the Assistant Director of Special Loan Programs in the Division of Development Finance of the Department.

(28) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Community Development.

(29) "Subcontractor" means an entity authorized by the Department to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a local administrator under Regulation .16D(1) of this chapter and to hold and disburse funds under Regulation .16D(2) of this chapter.

(30) "Target area" means an area determined by the Secretary to be an area with a concentration of families of limited income and either:

(a) Children who have been diagnosed with elevated blood lead; or

(b) Residential property constructed before 1950.