Overview
In March 2026, the Public Finance Initiative (PFI) convened the ”People-Centered Placemaking Workshop” (the “Workshop”) for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Division of Just Communities (DJC) and government officials from the State of Maryland’s sibling agencies. The Workshop was provided via the capacity building track of PFI's Rural and Small Cities Program, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The aim was to create a pathway to advance the State of Maryland’s mandated implementation of the Just Communities Act (the “JCA”) HB 241/ SB 308 (2004) that reflects the Moore-Miller Administration’s “all-of-government,” data-driven, heart-led approach to investment.
The Workshop created a forum for Sibling Agencies to consider how a people-centered placemaking strategy could support rural and small communities. Through presentations and facilitated discussions, participants in the Workshop considered the role of community involvement, data, coordination, and resources in developing DJC’s people-centered placemaking strategy focused on investing in historically underserved, overburdened and vulnerable communities across Maryland.
“The opportunity to participate in the Rural and Small Cities Program allows us to sharpen our approach to placemaking and gives us new tools to ensure our investments are coordinated, strategic, and centered on the people and places they are intended to serve."
-Secretary Jake Day
State of Maryland
January 29, 2026 Press Release
The Action Plan attempts to synthesize key takeaways from the Workshop and identify areas for potential action where participants seemed to reach consensus. The work is offered to support DHCD’s vision that “all Marylanders will have the opportunity to live and prosper in affordable, lovable and just communities.” Read the full Action Plan here.
Acknowledgements & Disclaimer
This resource was created for educational purposes only as part of the Rural & Small Cities Program, with the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views and perspectives presented in this resource are those of the authors and the Public Finance Institute team.
