News from AHC Greater Baltimore l Sept. 2021

Developing affordable homes and helping communities thrive since 1975.

AHC Board Names Susan Cunningham Interim CEO

We extend a warm welcome to Susan R. Cunningham as AHC Inc.’s Interim CEO. She brings more than 25 years of experience leading mission-driven organizations and building strong community engagement.

Throughout her career, she has worked closely with community nonprofits, governments, and private sector leaders throughout the Washington, D.C. region, from building public schools to designing sustainable buildings. True to AHC’s mission, she has long championed sustainable design and operation of affordable housing across the D.C. region. Susan took the helm in July, providing AHC with strategic planning and change management while overseeing the organization’s national search efforts for a permanent CEO.

Recently approved site plan will create nearly 200 mixed-income homes in Montgomery County.

Development Updates

Greenspring Overlook Renovation (Baltimore City)

Renovations at Greenspring Overlook remain underway and are now more than 75% complete! So far, 120 families have returned to the renovated units, and the rest of the families will return before the end of the year. In the meantime, our partner Southway Builders continues to work on site-wide improvements to walkways and building exteriors, as well as to our Community Center. We continue to maintain and prioritize resident and contractor safety through the challenges presented by COVID-19.

Poe Homes Redevelopment (Baltimore City)

HUD has approved the CHOICE Neighborhoods Transformation Plan – which includes newly constructed units for Poe Homes residents as well as additional mixed-income homes – submitted by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC). This plan represents an extensive community engagement process among Poe Homes residents and the surrounding neighborhoods. Along with Michaels Development, AHC-GB has begun design efforts on a first phase with Moseley Architects.

Key’s Pointe Phase 2 (O’Donnell Heights)

Now that a revitalization plan for O’Donnell Heights and its surrounding neighborhoods has been completed, there is renewed energy around community improvements – including continuing work on Key’s Pointe to replace demolished public housing units. AHC-GB, along with partners Michaels Development and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC), have begun financing and design predevelopment for the first sub-phase of Key’s Pointe Phase 2. While plans are still in the works, we anticipate Phase 2 will create an additional 60-80 units of affordable housing.

Site Plan Approved (Montgomery County)

The Montgomery County Planning Board has approved the site plan for a new six-acre mixed-income community in Montgomery County. This redevelopment is a partnership among AHC, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Maryland, and Interfaith Works. The new community will offer nearly 200 affordable homes, including both rental and homeownership opportunities, at various incomes with 80 three- and four-bedroom apartment homes. The project will also feature a half-acre park with a playground, picnic area, inviting pedestrian walkways, and open lawn areas. The groundbreaking will take place in early 2022, with the first new residents expected in 2024.

The AHC Greater Baltimore Resident Services team has been busy helping residents with back-to-school events, COVID-19 vaccinations, and rent relief.

Resident Services Overview

Union Rowe resident completes culinary arts program

Dawn Hall, a Union Rowe resident, recently graduated from the Franciscan Center Culinary Arts program. As part of the graduation ceremony, she presented two of her favorite dishes. Dawn has always loved to cook, so she was eager and excited to begin the 12-week course when it became available. This in-person program (which included regular COVID-19 testing) also pairs students with a social worker for up to a year. Dawn has now started a part-time six-month internship as a chef at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Baltimore. Congratulations, Dawn!

Resident appreciation events, back-to-school supplies, and vaccine education

We were thrilled to show our love for our residents through our recent Resident Appreciation event at Greenspring Overlook. Residents enjoyed ice cream and received backpacks full of free school supplies, activity bags, and housekeeping necessities thanks to the support from our generous partners, Amerigroup and Sinai Lifebridge Health. Hundreds of residents at Barclay Greenmount, Dunfield, Madera and Union Rowe also received free school supplies through our annual Backpack Giveaway.

Keeping our residents safe and healthy is our top priority!

The University of Maryland West Baltimore Partnership attended recent community events to answer questions about the COVID vaccine and provide vaccinations to residents. The partnership’s outreach team also reminded residents about their second dose and arranged transportation to future vaccine appointments. At MonteVerde, we have been offering biweekly COVID testing, and CVS will offer flu shots onsite on September 15.

To-date resident services has helped more than 240 residents receive their COVID vaccines at our properties in Maryland with the help of our partners. The resident services team continues to work to understand resident needs around COVID and will partner with Medstar to host additional vaccine events in September.

Resident Services Team Helps Residents Access $316,000 in Rental Assistance

As the pandemic drags on, many people continue to face financial uncertainty. Since the beginning of the pandemic, our team has been to helping residents stay in their homes during this difficult time. Since March 2020, we have provided or helped residents access more than $316,000 in rental assistance across our Maryland properties. Until recently, relief programs in Baltimore City excluded residents receiving rental subsidies, leaving many of our residents without options. The resident services team put in a lot of hard work to raise funds to be able to offer some relief. We are now actively applying to the Baltimore Assisted Relief Program. Developed in May 2021, this fund is the first for which many of our city residents are eligible.