In 1988, the School of Public Affairs (now the Maryland School of Public Policy) designed a curriculum to meet the training needs of the Maryland State Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Over the past seventeen years, the School has provided curriculum to DHCD employees, non-profit developers, and employees of local housing agencies. In 1994, OEP, drawing on its state and local experiences, adapted the DHCD curriculum to the training needs of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

It is essential that housing professionals in the Federal, State, local and non-profit sectors must possess a comprehensive view of the industry in order to appreciate and work effectively with their colleagues and members of the community. Toward this end, several common themes are stressed throughout all of our housing and community development programs. Sessions provide an overview of the housing development and management process, focus on strengthening participants' problem solving skills, teach participants how to forge effective partnerships, and train participants to look for alternatives to current procedures.

OEP will work with your organization or agency to provide programs that provide training on issues including housing finance, community development, and asset management.