Community Preservation Trust asks College Park for modest operating increase as it expands down-payment and stormwater work

Susan Hartman, executive of the Community Preservation Trust (CPU), used the budget work session to summarize CPU’s recent results and FY27 requests. CPU reported its portfolio now includes 11 properties (10 single-family, one mixed-use containing four below-market graduate units) and 15 Live Work down-payment transactions in the past year — the program’s strongest year since inception. CPU said its Live Work College Park program has been successful leveraging local and state funding and requested the city continue its $50,000 annual contribution to retain matching leverage, plus a $10,000 increase in FY27 operating support to cover rising administrative costs.

Hartman also described CPU’s plans to create an affordability tier for income-qualified applicants, pending legal review and funding alignment, and described a $7 million award CPU will manage to address stormwater management in the Discovery District near the Metro area — a multi-year effort to study and build resilience to flooding and climate impacts. Council members asked about geography of benefits (many CPU grants and projects are concentrated near the university/Discovery District) and reporting: CPU agreed to quarterly check-ins and emphasized that the program has matched university commitments and leveraged state grants.

Why it matters: CPU’s work channels public and university funds into homeownership, placemaking and infrastructure projects that shape housing affordability and local resilience. Councilors flagged the need for regular updates if operating support is increased.

Ending: CPU said it will coordinate with the city on program reporting and return with details as it finalizes the affordability tier and receives legal guidance on program changes.