Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces State’s First Housing Ombudsman
Steven Palmer to fill new position established by Governor Wes Moore’s “Housing Starts Here” Executive Order

By PRESS OFFICER
DHCD

NEW CARROLLTON, Md. (Jan. 21, 2026)—Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day today announced the Department has hired Steven A. Palmer as the State of Maryland’s Housing Ombudsman. Palmer joins the agency’s Division of Policy, Strategy and Research, filling the new position established by Governor Wes Moore’s “Housing Starts Here” Executive Order.

As Maryland’s inaugural Housing Ombudsman, Palmer will help increase Maryland’s housing production by improving processes and cooperation between government, industry partners, and community stakeholders. These efforts will include troubleshooting ongoing housing development projects that have been delayed by state and local permitting or entitlement processes and facilitating housing development on high-potential sites, such as government-owned land.

“To make Maryland more affordable, to spur economic growth and keep up with our neighbors, to ensure that every current and future resident can find a home in our great state, we must build more housing of all types and sizes, and we must build it quickly,” said Secretary Day. “As the state’s first-ever Housing Ombudsman, Steven’s passion and expertise will help Maryland meet this challenge by strengthening both policies and partnerships to cut red tape and remove roadblocks that too often constrict and delay housing production.”

An attorney focused on public service and policy, Palmer joins the department after serving as Director of Public Policy at Housing&, a nonprofit association serving Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. In that role, he advocated for more affordable housing and racially equitable communities. Before his tenure at Housing, Palmer served in various legislative roles at the Council of the District of Columbia, where he advised council members, conducted agency oversight, and drafted legislation, including legislation that removed racist and exclusionary covenants from housing deeds.

Originally from Olney, Maryland, Palmer is a proud alumnus of Montgomery County Public Schools and the University of Maryland, College Park. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he returned to the region to briefly practice law as an associate at Covington & Burling LLP before entering government service. In his spare time, he enjoys rooting for the University of Maryland Terrapins with his wife, Katherine, and their very large corgi, Puff.

“Growing up in Maryland provided me with unlimited opportunity, truly setting the stage for my life. It was only possible because my family moved to the state during a time of abundant and affordable housing supply,” said Palmer. “I am honored to serve my home state and to join the wonderful team at DHCD in their efforts to meet the state's housing needs, create great places and unlock Maryland’s fullest potential so that every family has the same chance to build a stable future.”

To learn more about the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and the work of the Department’s Division of Policy, Strategy and Research, visit www.dhcd.maryland.gov 

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Roberta’s House Welcomes Nakia Williams as Community Engagement and Volunteer Program Manager

By PRESS OFFICER
Roberta’s House

BALTIMORE (Jan. 20, 2026)—Roberta’s House—A Family Grief Support Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Nakia Williams as its new Community Engagement and Volunteer Program Manager. A mission-driven community engagement and human services professional with more than eight years of experience, Williams brings deep expertise in volunteer coordination, school-based youth services, trauma-informed facilitation, and community outreach to this leadership role.

Williams joins the Community Engagement team from her current position as a School-Based Facilitator in Roberta’s House’s Youth Services Department, where she has delivered grief, loss, and emotional-wellness workshops for students across Baltimore City and Prince George’s County, collaborated with school counselors and administrators, and supported program implementation and data tracking. She has also played a key role in advancing Roberta’s House’s healing-centered approach to supporting young people and families navigating trauma and bereavement.

Prior to joining Roberta’s House, Williams served as Substance & Mental Health Program Coordinator at Allianze Inc. and as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) Counselor with Therapeutic Wellness Services, where she coordinated volunteers and peer-support services, facilitated trauma-informed group and individual sessions, and worked closely with community and clinical partners to support families facing complex challenges.

Gregory Prioleau, Member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Volunteer Committee, who participated in Williams’ final interview, shared his personal endorsement of her appointment:

“Having participated in Nakia’s final interview, I was deeply impressed by her compassion, professionalism, and clarity of purpose,” said Prioleau. “I am excited to personally welcome her to this role and confident she will be a strong partner in strengthening Roberta’s House’s volunteer community.”

In her new role, Williams will oversee volunteer recruitment, training, and retention; deepen relationships with community and corporate partners; and strengthen the volunteer infrastructure supporting Roberta’s House’s expanding portfolio of programs and events, including the Elijah Cummings Leadership Awards, the Maryland Safe Sleep Summit, Camp Erin Baltimore, and year-round grief-support services.

Williams holds an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from the Community College of Baltimore County and is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (HR) at the University of Baltimore. She is also HUD-certified as a Housing Counselor and licensed in Life, Health, Property, and Casualty Insurance in Maryland.

Community members interested in volunteering with Roberta’s House are encouraged to contact Ms. Williams at (410) 235-6633 or by email at nwilliams@robertashouse.org.

Roberta’s House—A Family Grief Support Center is a Maryland-based nonprofit providing compassionate, trauma-informed grief support to children, youth, and families who have experienced the death of a loved one. Through counseling, peer support, school-based programs, and community partnerships, Roberta’s House helps families find hope and healing after loss.

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