For many families in Howard County, the dream of owning a home can feel out of reach. Rising prices and limited inventory make it hard for first-time buyers to compete in today’s housing market. That’s why the County’s Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program is so important: it helps residents find a way in.

In 2024, the MIHU program received 471 applications from families hoping to buy their first home. After the review process, 45 households were awarded MIHU homes — about 1 in 10 applicants. These families were able to purchase at an average sales price of $302,000, far below typical market rates in Howard County. The average household income was $84,000, demonstrating how the program bridges the gap for moderate-income families who earn too much to qualify for traditional assistance but not enough to compete in the open market.

Behind these numbers are people — teachers, nurses, county employees, and service workers — who now have the stability of homeownership. Owning a home not only provides a safe place to live, but it also builds long-term wealth and strengthens communities.

As part of the County’s Opportunities for Wealth-Building Now (OWN) Initiative, programs like MIHU show what’s possible when the County requires developers to include affordable units in new communities. Each year, dozens of families purchase homes in neighborhoods they might otherwise never have been able to afford.

Howard County’s goal is clear: make homeownership accessible to more residents, especially first-time buyers who are building their futures here.