MIH participated in the Maryland Department of Health Developmental Disabilities (DDA)’s annual budget hearings over the past two weeks. More than 40 people with IDD, family members, providers and other advocates testified to advocate for full funding of vital DDA services for thousands of Marylanders.
MIH Executive Director Tim Wiens delivered testimony to the Health and Human Services Subcommittee of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on Feb. 20, and to the Health and Social Services Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 28.
The purpose of the testimony was to support the $260,000 included in the proposed FY26 DDA Operating Budget for MIH’s work.
The testimony also supported the DDA Rent Subsidy Program (DDARSP), which enables eligible Marylanders with disabilities to rent a home and pay just 30% of their total household income for rent and basic utilities. It was launched by the DDA, in partnership with the Department of Disabilities (MDOD) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
“This program is vital to the work that we do at MIH,” said Wiens. “Our clients often live on a fixed budget and do not have a full-time job. The DDARSP makes housing drastically more affordable and finding housing for our clients much easier. We understand that funding is at the same level as FY25 due to the tight budget the state is facing. We support the appropriation of funds given the current circumstances. MIH’s collaboration with DDA on creating new models for housing, residential services and the use of technology are creating new pathways for more person centered, and sustainable services in Maryland.”
MIH has used the DDRSP to help many clients find their ideal housing situations, including Tony Sampson, who was able to move into a modern apartment in Silver Spring close to shops, restaurants and his family after being faced with a predicament of not know where he would live.
Earlier in the session, it was announced that Gov. Moore’s FY26 budget would include several significant cuts and cost containment measures that would negatively impact the DDA. The state announced that most of DDA budget cuts will be restored for FY25, but the cuts for FY26 remain uncertain. The majority of both hearings were dedicated to advocates explaining the importance of DDA funding.