News from AHC Greater Baltimore l December 2021
Developing affordable homes and helping communities thrive since 1975.
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2021 has been a challenging and jam-packed year. Many of us - particularly our residents - continue to feel the impacts of the pandemic acutely. AHC and AHC Greater Baltimore are also navigating organizational changes as we move to third-party property management (read more below) and search for our next President & CEO (see below).
Through it all, AHC Greater Baltimore has continued to work hard to effectively engage with residents and create and preserve more affordable places for people to call home. Here's a snapshot of what you've helped us accomplish in 2021.
From all of us at AHC Greater Baltimore, we thank you for your support and wish you and yours a happy and healthy New Year!
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Clockwise: Book distributions were popular community events at AHC Greater Baltimore properties; community partnerships helped residents get vaccinations in the comfort of their homes; elementary students were delighted to start school with full backpacks; residents enjoyed community activities to stay connected like movie nights with partner Catherine's Family and Youth Services; and regular food distributions were critical resources for residents. |
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Helping Residents Through the Pandemic |
As the pandemic continued to impact our vulnerable residents, the AHC Greater Baltimore Resident Services team pivoted in multiple ways throughout 2021 to make sure residents stayed housed and healthy:
Housing Stability - $681K in Rental Assistance
Helping residents stay securely housed remained our top priority throughout 2021. One of the challenges was that many of our Baltimore City and Baltimore County residents were not eligible for federal programs because they receive rental subsidies.
Fortunately, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) began providing help last spring. To date, we have been able to access more than $681,000 in rental assistance to help our residents stay in their homes.
In Baltimore County, we are also working with The Strategic Targeted Eviction Prevention (STEP) Program, an initiative of the United Way of Central Maryland, to prevent evictions.
COVID-19 - Vaccinations and Education programs
From educating the vaccine-hesitant to holding onsite vaccination clinics, Resident Services has strived to help people stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, 137 residents have been vaccinated through our community clinics, and 54 have received booster shots. Additionally, 86 residents have participated in COVID-19 educational workshops and testing opportunities.
Food Distribution
Access to healthy and nutritional food remains a challenge for many of our residents. Throughout the year, our teams demonstrated tremendous innovation and flexibility to meet our residents' needs through a variety of food distribution programs, including community-wide weekly events, door-to-door drop-offs, and outdoor distributions.
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Key's Pointe
We’re continuing to make progress toward revitalizing the O’Donnell Heights public housing site into the new Key's Pointe redevelopment in southeast Baltimore. The 62-acre redevelopment will eventually offer more than 900 affordable and market-rate homes.
AHC-GB and our partner Michaels Development received final approval by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City to begin design of Phase 2. We anticipate this next phase to consist of 60 to 80 new apartments — including replacement public housing units — in addition to new affordable units.
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Greenspring Overlook
The extensive renovation project at Greenspring Overlook, a 189-unit garden-style community, is almost complete! Renovations include new plumbing, HVAC, kitchens, and bathrooms, as well as updates to the Community Center. The property will feature a second added, brand-new playground.
AHC-GB thanks our partners Moseley Architects, Southway Builders, and KCW Engineering. A special thanks to our relocation consultant, Housing Opportunities Unlimited (HOU), for managing a complex temporary relocation strategy while meeting residents’ needs.
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Poe Homes
Over the last year we also continued to collaborate with Michaels Development and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City on the redevelopment for Poe Homes, one of the oldest public housing developments in Baltimore. The first phase of the project — design and engineering — is currently underway. This first phase will likely consist of about 70 mixed-income apartments for Poe Homes residents as well as affordable and market-rates units for the wider community.
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Lansdowne
During the past year, we began the renovation and refinancing planning for Lansdowne Gardens, AHC's first community in Baltimore County. Lansdowne Gardens is a 167 garden-style, affordable apartment community near public transportation, schools, and shopping in southwest Baltimore County. Design, engineering, and financing planning will be well underway early next year.
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Transitioning to Third-Party Property Management
After a thorough and careful examination of our residents’ and employees’ needs, current industry trends, and AHC’s long-term strategic goals, AHC is transitioning our properties to third-party property management starting in 2022. The move will close AHC Management, which has been managing AHC properties for more than 20 years.
“Transitioning AHC Management’s services to third-party providers will enable us to both provide our residents with the best-in-class service they deserve and to re-focus our efforts on what we do best – developing much-needed affordable housing and building brighter futures for families throughout Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland, said Interim CEO Susan Cunningham.
The four property management companies selected to take over the management of AHC’s portfolio of properties include: Drucker + Falk, Harbor Group, Paradigm Management, and WinnResidential. Most of the Baltimore portfolio will be managed by WinnResidential, with the exception of Dunfield, which is already managed by Drucker + Falk.
AHC has worked closely with the four companies to position employees and residents for a smooth and successful transition of each property over the next four months. Each of the third-party management companies intends to retain onsite AHC Management staff at the same property with similar job title, pay, and benefits.
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Search for AHC President & CEO Launched
AHC has officially launched its search for a new President and CEO. The organization is seeking visionary leadership for the staff and community as AHC continues to grow and enhance its holistic approach to providing services and high-quality affordable housing to thousands of residents.
Learn more about the President & CEO position here.
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Make a secure gift today at AHC Holiday Fund Drive. 100% of your donation will help families and individuals living in AHC communities! |
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