§ 2A-3. Program established.

(a) In general.

There is a Baltimore Affordable Housing Program, established for the purposes of:

(1) promoting economically diverse housing in City neighborhoods; and

(2) increasing housing opportunities for working families and other persons of low and moderate income.

(b) Administration.

The Commissioner of Housing and Community Development shall administer the Program consistent with this subtitle.

(c) Eligible activities.

(1) Eligible activities authorized under this section must be conducted at a scale that, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is sufficient to address completely the blighting influences existing in the project area. For this purpose, the "project area" may be no smaller than a single block face comprising both sides of a street or way.

(2) The Commissioner, in his or her discretion, shall use Program funds for the purposes of:

(i) the acquisition, structural stabilization, and demolition of real property by the City {City Code Article 13, Subtitle 2};

(ii) the relocation of households, when that relocation is associated with the acquisition, structural stabilization, and demolition of real property by the City {City Code Article 13, Subtitle 2}; and

(iii) the administration and marketing of the eligible activities described in this subsection.

(3) The Commissioner, in his or her discretion, shall use Program funds to provide appropriate financial incentives, including grants and loans, to developers, non-profit organizations, and eligible households for the purposes of:

(i) the orderly and sustainable planning, preservation, rehabilitation, and development of economically diverse housing in City neighborhoods;

(ii) rental payment or home purchase assistance on behalf of eligible households for primary residency in eligible properties; and

(iii) the provision of buyer education and housing counseling services to eligible households in connection with housing opportunities in City neighborhoods and to maximize home ownership.