Sec. 05.21.01.02. Definitions

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

B. Terms Defined.

(1) “Act” means Housing and Community Development Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(2) “Application” means an application by a prospective recipient of services.

(3) “At risk of homelessness” means a household with an annual income below 30 percent of the area median income and does not have sufficient resources or support networks immediately available to prevent household members from becoming homeless.

(4) “Client” means a recipient of services.

(5) “Continuum of Care” means the regional or local planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals as defined in 24 CFR §578.3.

(6) “Crisis shelter home” means an emergency shelter that provides assistance in moving households from homelessness into permanent housing and provides shelter, meals, information and referral service, and counseling to households.

(7) “Department” means the Department of Housing and Community Development, a principal department of the State.

(8) “Dwelling unit” means a room, apartment, house, or mobile home.

(9) “Eligible dwelling unit” means a dwelling unit that:

(a) Is subject to a physical inspection under a federal, another State, or a local affordable housing program, including the federal low-income housing tax credit program; or

(b) Meets the dwelling unit standards established by the Secretary in accordance with Housing and Community Development Article, §4-1403, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(10) “Family shelter” means any shelter that serves children under the age of 18.

(11) “Grant” means the funds awarded by the Department to a grantee from available program funds.

(12) “Grant application” means an application for grant funds from the Department.

(13) “Grantee” means a nonprofit entity or local government that receives a grant from the Department under a program.

(14) “Homeless” means a household who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

(15) “Homelessness Solutions Programs” means any of the programs set forth in Regulation .01 of this chapter.

(16) “Household” means an individual or one or more adults and children living together as a family.

(17) “Housing assistance payments” means rental assistance payments that are used, for a period not to exceed 24 months, to pay:

(a) Rent;

(b) Security deposits;

(c) Utilities; and

(d) Housing-related expenses.

(18) “Local government” means any of the 23 counties of the State, the City of Baltimore, a municipal corporation of the State subject to the provisions of the State Constitution, Article XI-E, or any of their duly authorized agencies, departments, or instrumentalities.

(19) “Nonprofit organization” means a corporation, foundation, or other legal entity that is exempt from federal income tax under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(20) “Program” means any of the Homelessness Solutions Programs.

(21) “Program agreement” means an agreement or agreements between the Department and a grantee to implement one or more programs.

(22) “Provider” means an entity that:

(a) Is a nonprofit entity, a local government, or a public housing authority; and

(b) Contracts with the Department or a grantee to provide services under a program.

(23) “Resident of the State” means a person who is living in the State voluntarily and not for temporary purposes, with no immediate intention of moving from the State at the time of application.

(24) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Housing and Community Development.