News from AHC Greater Baltimore l June 2020
Developing affordable homes and helping communities thrive
|
|
We're all in this together. Hope you enjoy this quick video from all of us to you and our residents. Stay safe! |
|
Coping with Coronavirus
We at AHC Greater Baltimore are committed to helping our residents stay securely in their homes during the pandemic crisis. We continue working hard to create more affordable housing options for Baltimore residents, which will be needed more than ever, once we get past the virus and its economic aftermath.
We understand the individuals and families we serve are acutely vulnerable right now due to job losses, health iniquities exacerbated by COVID-19, and lack of access to food and other basic needs. Since the outbreak started, our Resident Services and Property Management teams have been working diligently to assist our residents during these difficult times.
In anticipation of above-average delinquency rates, the Property Management team is helping residents develop payment plans, and making sure residents are aware that late fees are being waived and evictions for nonpayment of rent are suspended through at least August 1.
The following is an overview of how we are coping with the pandemic while continuing to move forward. We appreciate your support throughout this crisis and wish you and your family good health and safety.
|
|
Before coronavirus, planning for Poe Homes included interactive community meetings. |
|
Development Continues Despite COVID-19
Despite the challenges of coronavirus, our Baltimore development team continues to make progress with safety and health measures in place.
Greenspring Overlook Renovation. Planning continues for a major recapitalization and renovation of Greenspring Overlook, AHC’s first community in Baltimore City (purchased in 2001). The community includes 189 apartments and a thriving resident services program.
Poe Homes Redevelopment. The planning process for the redevelopment of 288 public housing units at Poe Homes is continuing virtually. AHC-GB and our partners, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City and Michaels Development, hope to finalize plans this summer as part of the Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan for Poe Homes and the surrounding Poppleton and Hollins Market communities in West Baltimore.
Southeast Baltimore Revitalization Plan. Since September 2019, AHC-GB has participated in the community process led by Baltimore City Department of Planning and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City to develop a neighborhood revitalization plan for Broening Manor, Graceland Park, Medford, and O’Donnell Heights communities in Southeast Baltimore. Once adopted, the new plan will inform future phases of our large Key’s Pointe redevelopment as well as surrounding community improvements.
|
|
Barclay Greenmount residents regularly receive food, masks and needed supplies from community partner Barclay Greenmount Community Center. |
|
Resident Services and Property Management Team Up to Support Residents
AHC-GB’s Resident Services and Property Management teams are taking extra measures to ensure residents’ continued safety and well-being.
Our Resident Services team is working hard to identify emergency resources and community partnerships to help residents who are struggling. They help determine which government benefits residents may be eligible for, provide grocery gift cards if they need additional resources to feed their family, and collaborate with families to develop their household budgets. And, if residents have had difficulty finding important household supplies, Resident Services will help distribute face masks and hygiene and cleaning products.
Keeping Seniors Engaged
Aware that the senior population is particularly vulnerable and feeling lonelier than usual, staff has also been developing extra programming to keep them engaged. Interactive opportunities, such as a partnership with Holistic Wellness, help residents participate in online cooking workshops. Extra bonus: Those who pre-register get a delivery of the food they can use to cook along with the instructor during the class.
An exciting new partnership with the AARP Foundation's Connect2Affect Connected Communities program is helping seniors at MonteVerde Apartments stay connected through smart speakers. Seniors are using digital assistants like Echo Dot for activities that include joke telling, conference calls, playing music or trivia games, or talking about the weather. AHC Resident Services Assistant Director Haley Mixson says, "...following COVID it became even more essential to find ways to actively communicate with our senior residents and continue to help them get engaged. Their anxiety and stress levels are very high right now. Anything we can do to help them feel more connected and less isolated is just critical."
|
|
Support AHC's Residents' Emergency Needs
If you’re looking for a way to help vulnerable neighbors, please make a special gift today to the AHC Emergency Response Fund. Your gift to the Fund will allow us the most flexibility to respond to emergency needs as our low-income residents cope with job losses and reduced income, toiletry and food needs, language barriers, education challenges, and more uncertainties.
|
|
If you have already given, thank you so much for your generous support! |
|
Supporters of the Combined Federal Campaign
can pledge to AHC via CFC #77198. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
