Mayor Brandon M. Scott and DHCD announce the award of $5,826,582 in grant funds through the Community Catalyst Grants (CCG) Program. The goal of CCG, a competitive awards program, is to provide capital and operating funds for community-driven revitalization efforts.
The City and several funders are investing a combined $9,650,000 in funding support to continue the Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors initiative. This initiative provides home modifications, repairs, and wraparound services for older adult homeowners.
DHCD began implementing City Council Bill 19-0429, which requires posting signage on vacant buildings providing information to identify the owners of vacant properties. When scanned, the signage features a QR Code that directs users to DHCD’s Vacant Property Resources and Information Page where the public can access the Agency’s Property-Owner Information portal for information about a vacant building that includes the owner or responsible agent’s name, address, phone number, and email contact if available.
DHCD is issuing a call for expressions of interest (EOI) to develop several city-owned properties. The City is seeking submissions from experienced developers for 12 strategic locations, seven of which are former school buildings. Through the EOI process, the City will establish a list of interested, qualified firms, which could lead to the issuing of Requests for Proposals.
DHCD and the Developing Affordable Starter Homes (DASH) Fund are working in tandem on a pilot program to eliminate blight, increase access to affordable housing, and revitalize neighborhoods while building capacity of emerging developers. The City is providing $250,000 as part of a larger initial $3-million funding of DASH.
DHCD has announced awardees for the City’s initial $2.25-million investment in Community Land Trusts for single family homeownership opportunities. The funds will support the development of 26 units with an average unit cost of $53,571.
La Cité Development has entered into a definitive agreement to establish Market Fresh Gourmet as a full-service fresh foods grocery at its Center\West site. Construction is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2021 on the northwest corner of the site at Fayette and Schroder Street. Center\West is a large-scale redevelopment of 32.94 acres of land in the Poppleton neighborhood of Southwest Baltimore.
Last year, Fannie Mae awarded a contract for Baltimore to develop a model to provide school-centered housing to young families in elementary school. After substantial engagement with over 100 Baltimore and National experts in the fields of affordable housing, family homelessness, education, and community schools, we are pleased to announce that the white paper that describes the SCHORE (Student-Centered Housing Response) model is complete.
DHCD is making $7.2 million in available funding through the second round of Community Catalyst Grants. Applicants can now apply online for CCG operating and capital funds for projects that are critical to locally-driven community revitalization efforts.
DHCD has issued its Fall 2020 Requests for Proposals (RFPs), offering key sites for future development. Multiple sites are being offered in the Broadway East, Coldspring Newtown, Fells Point, Grove Park, Harlem Park, and Marble Hill neighborhoods.