Calvert County's Premier Workforce Housing Initiative Attracts First Local Company to Partnership

Royalle Dining Services of Dunkirk Adds HK4E to Employee Incentive Package

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- February 23, 2006 - In December, 2005, the Calvert County Government signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the State of Maryland to participate in the State’s new “House Keys 4 Employees” (HK4E) program, at the same time becoming a participating employer. Calvert was the first county in the State to officially sign on, proving its commitment to affordable housing and innovative initiatives to assist the County’s private and public sector working class by providing funding for the program that offers down payment and closing assistance for first-time home buyers in Calvert County. When announced, Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) president David Hale said, “To demonstrate our support and commitment to this initiative, the BOCC will provide additional local match to private sector employers who participate in the ‘House Keys for Employees’ program.”

Today, the BOCC is pleased to announce that Royalle Dining Services of Dunkirk has signed on to be the first private company to offer this benefit to their employees. Ed Baddour, president of the company, said he views this initiative as an excellent way to build strong community roots, improve the lives of his employees and add a valuable attraction and retention tool to Royalle’s suite of employee benefits.

“As a first-generation immigrant to this country, I know that home ownership is an important goal for American families – it was certainly a priority for me,” he said. “Unfortunately, with the nation’s high housing prices, it is often difficult or impossible for families to afford the large down payment and closing cost expenses required to purchase a first home. It is my hope that this program will provide another way to help my employees and enable them to purchase their first home in the community where they work.”

Baddour said this incentive also has to potential to be a key tool in his company’s attraction and retention program, enabling the company to compete for skilled employees in a tight labor market. “Most companies already offer health, vacation, sick leave and the other standard benefits. But how many companies can tell their employees, ‘We can also help you purchase your first home’? That’s a really special perk.”

Hale said, "Having the first company sign on so quickly is a positive sign that this program is a true fit for our local business community. We commend Royalle Dining Services for their commitment to their employees.”

The new HK4E project creates an additional level of opportunity for affordable home ownership for the State’s working population. It is an employer partnership initiative that matches funds for closing costs and down payments for eligible employees who want to purchase a home. Eligible employees are those who have not owned a principal residence in the last three years. In addition, income and house price limits apply and eligibility tables are available online at www.morehouse4less.com.

HK4E provides State matching funds up to $5,000 for employer and other local contributions to make the cost of buying a house more affordable for working people. The new partnership with DHCD will enable the County to incorporate the use of grants of up to $5,000 from the Calvert Housing Opportunities Fund (formerly the Affordable Housing Loan Fund).

For example, through a combination of State and local funds, eligible Calvert County employees could receive up to $15,000 toward closing and down payment costs for the purchase of a home:

For more information on “More House 4 Less” and affiliated programs, visit www.morehouse4less.com

For more information on Royalle Dining Services, call 800.404.8704, e-mail Ed Baddour at ed.baddour@royalle.net or visit online at www.royalle.net

Individuals interested in learning more about this program or other Calvert County housing initiatives should contact the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Community Resources at 410.535.1600 x2331 or via e-mail at communityresrouces@co.cal.md.us

The Calvert County Department of Economic Development has additional information online, including a self-guided e-seminar that answers many questions about this program.

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com