News from AHC Greater Baltimore l September 2020
Developing affordable homes and helping communities thrive
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Renovations Begin at Greenspring Overlook
After securing the final financing this summer, renovations have begun at Greenspring Overlook, AHC’s first apartment community in Baltimore. Purchased in 2001, the community features 189 apartments and a federal rental subsidy contract to help make the homes affordable at a range of incomes.
The extensive renovations will feature upgrades to all apartments and common spaces, including: replacing the plumbing and HVAC, updating lighting and other fixtures to save energy, installing new kitchen cabinets and countertops, enhancing the security system, altering the sidewalks to improve accessibility, and building additional space for outdoor recreation.
The construction will be phased so we can relocate most residents on-site while their apartments are renovated. COVID-19 has presented additional challenges to the construction process, but we have put new precautions and protocols in place to protect the safety of the residents and the construction workers.
We have a great team supporting us to make the renovations possible.
Our financing partners include AGM Financial, Enterprise Community Investment, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, Baltimore City HOME Program, and Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Construction partners include Southway Builders, Moseley Architects, and KCW Engineering. Thanks to our many partners!
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The Dunfield Townhomes and Apartments' back-to-school event helped 75 children start school well prepared! |
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Virtual Programs for Children and Families Move Fun and Learning Online
Baltimore's Resident Services team is working hard to stay in touch with residents during the pandemic and are working closely with partners organizations and community groups to provide classes and ways to stay connected.
Keeping Children Engaged
Over the summer, AHC-GB’s partner organization Catherine’s Family and Youth Services (CFYS) migrated its in-person camps online to great success. Through activities such as cooking lessons, craft sessions, and fitness classes, the CFYS team kept kids engaged and stimulated while safe at home. CFYS donated meals and books to the camp participants to ensure they had nourishment for body and mind. As the new school year kicks off, CFYS hopes to continue its programming with virtual afterschool activities.
Sending AHC Children Back-to-School Prepared
The Dunfield Townhomes and Apartments hosted a back-to-school drive and distributed new backpacks full of school supplies to 75 school-age children in time for the start of school, including crayons and coloring books for preschoolers. Through a donation from the Maryland Book Bank, each child or youth took home at least one new book.
Financial Literacy Pays Off
Resident Services hosted a four-week financial literacy program over the summer through a partnership with the Municipal Employees Credit Union or MECU. More than 40 residents across all the Baltimore sites participated, finding it easier to join the online classes. We were able to connect with residents in their home, sometimes with their children, or on their lunch break. Several participating residents opened bank accounts as a result of the class, and many continue to work one-on-one with staff to gain further control of their finances.
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We want to recognize and thank all of our MonteVerde residents on our Emergency Preparedness Team who are helping with our food distribution programs during the pandemic. |
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Resident Volunteers Helping Right at Home
Back in 2017, a few of the residents at MonteVerde were inspired by one of their partner organizations to develop an emergency and crisis response plan for the apartment community. Since then, the group of residents has completed a training, interviewed other residents about the challenges they might face in an emergency, compiled a large emergency response reference guide, and stored essential supplies.
Thanks to this preparation, the team was ready to spring into action when COVID-19 hit the area in March.
The Emergency Preparedness Team consists of about 10 resident volunteers – all senior citizens – who help daily with the food distribution, unload trucks, deliver food to the homebound, and provide supplies to the residents. During the spring and summer, the team distributed face masks, hand sanitizer, donated meals, and donated fans to residents.
“They are the nuts and bolts of what happens at MonteVerde,” says Latrice Goode, Senior Resident Services Manager. “There’s no way we’d be able to do all that without them.”
Other residents know that when they need help, they can always reach out to team members. For instance, if someone is unable to find toilet paper or canned goods at the grocery store, the Emergency Preparedness Team can help them access supplies from storage. This small but mighty group helps about 200 residents every month.
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Join us for AHC's Annual Meeting on October 20!
Join us virtually for an update on how AHC and our residents are weathering the pandemic, learn about what's next, and hear an overview of affordable housing trends in the DMV from NPR's Ally Schweitzer.
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Supporters of the Combined Federal Campaign
can pledge to AHC via CFC #77198. Thank you!
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