|
 AGENCY 2022 UPDATE VOLUME IV - Issue 1
|
|
|
It's hard to believe, but the end of this calendar year will soon be on our doorstep. 2022 presented us with many opportunities to underscore the important work of DHCD, not the least of which was the directive Mayor Scott issued to all City agencies to conduct an internal review related to addressing vacant houses.
Since that directive, we've provided the Mayor with a complete list of recommendations providing both short- and long-term vacancy abatement and prevention strategies, and we've issued progress reports about our ongoing efforts.
One key item is the introduction of BuyIntoBmore, our new single-access-point for constituents and developers to apply to purchase City-owned property. We are confident that BuyIntoBmore will help move vacant buildings back into productive use more expediently. See more about our real estate portal below.
Also, after Mayor Scott announced his $100 Million commitment of American Rescue Plan Act funds for housing initiatives, DHCD took the opportunity to help the public understand the complexity of dealing with the vacant building inventory in the city, and to realize the progress that has been made. For the first time in decades, our vacant building inventory is less than 15,000, and this downward trend is because of the ongoing work of the agency.
Our ongoing work is also supported with several key agency appointments:
Scott Davis - Chief of Staff
Glenda Curtis - Equity Officer
Mary Correia - Deputy Commissioner, Consolidated Planning
There is more about these key appointments included below as well as information about other recent activity within various divisions of DHCD.
Once again, I take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and interest in the work of DHCD.
In Service,
Alice
Mayor Scott Announces $100 Million American Rescue Plan Act Commitment to Housing.
|
|
|
During the warmer months, DHCD attended several groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings with Mayor Brandon M. Scott, City officials, and stakeholders to celebrate the progression of community revitalization activity across Baltimore. Below are project descriptions that are links to articles and event videos.
|
|
The month of May was a time of celebration for Park Heights.
Within a three-day span, the community cut the ribbon on Renaissance Row Apartments, broke ground on Woodland Gardens II, and hosted Preakness festivities. Advancing the development projects officially signals the arrival of long-awaited transformative change in Park Heights. Read more.
|
Efforts to eliminate blighted properties in the City of Baltimore and return them to productive use continue to progress.
In July, City officials and Hearts Place Services celebrated the advancement of the Hope Village Project with a groundbreaking ceremony. Read more.
|
In early July, City officials, Beloved Community Service Corporation, and the Upton community celebrated what would have been Justice Thurgood Marshall’s 114th birthday in style. Stakeholders gathered to kick off renovations to PS103, the former Henry Highland Garnet School, where the Supreme Court Justice attended school during his youth. Read more.
|
|
More affordable housing is on its way to West Baltimore!
Druid Heights recently celebrated the advancement of Phase II of the Bakers View Townhomes project with a groundbreaking ceremony at the corner of Baker and Division Streets. Phase II of the four-phase, affordable-housing project will include up to 21 newly constructed townhomes. Read more.
|
Community renewal activity continues to progress in Johnston Square!
In July, City officials, State and community partners, and other stakeholders gathered for ReBUILD Metro’s launch of the revitalization of its next 36 abandoned properties in Johnston Square. Read more.
|
After decades of an unfulfilled vision, the long-time vacant homes in the 800 block of Harlem Avenue finally have new life.
Last fall, City and State officials, stakeholders, and the Upton and Heritage Crossing communities celebrated the completion of the first five rehabbed rowhomes on the long-blighted block with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Read more.
|
|
|
Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s Administration is committed to addressing housing opportunities in the City of Baltimore.
In Spring 2022, DHCD rolled out two initiatives that will aid first-time homebuyers and help residents — who have been affected by the pandemic — stay in their homes.
First-Time Homebuyers Incentive Program
The City increased incentives for first-time homebuyers to $10,000 for eligible households. Additionally, qualified homebuyers purchasing homes in Impact Investment Areas are eligible for $20,000 in first-time homebuyer incentives.
This is a part of the Mayor’s strategy to increase Baltimore's population of middle-income families and is central to the Scott Administration’s growth plan for 2030, which was created in response to declining population numbers – especially among middle-income Black homeowners. Learn more.
Emergency Mortgage & Housing Assistance Program
The City is offering a new program to support Baltimore City homeowners facing a mortgage crisis.
The Emergency Mortgage & Housing Assistance Program is assisting Baltimore City homeowners experiencing economic hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic whose homes are at risk of foreclosure. Assistance is provided as a grant in the form of a direct payment to the mortgage company to pay past-due mortgage charges.
Homeowners without a mortgage can still receive assistance for past due homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, and water bills. Learn more.
|
|
|
Move over Zillow! We've upgraded our system for buying and selling City-owned properties.
BuyIntoBmore streamlines our internal processes for acquisition and disposition of property. It is an information and project management tool that tracks data directly on a map tied to parcels. This tool allows the City to create geo-code and to integrate new property and project information into a map-based application along with other City data.
DHCD and the Comptroller’s Office are partnering to use BuyIntoBmore to improve property-related workflow capabilities across different departments and agencies. This technology makes City-owned properties more visible to the public and aggregates property information from a number of City agencies to provide a comprehensive, user-friendly, mapping tool for constituents to apply to the various programs that allow them to invest in the City.
Additionally, the system helps digitize and automate the antiquated practice of using spreadsheet-based, manual processes which drastically improves the customer and internal staff experience. Through purchasing this software, the City is making it easier for interested parties to search for properties and to navigate the application process. It is our own real-estate marketplace that will empower customers with comprehensive information at their fingertips.
|
|
Scott Davis - Chief of Staff
Mr. Davis has worked in City government since 2018, most recently as Director of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods. Prior to that, he served as a neighborhood liaison in the Office of the Council President.
Before working in city government, Mr. Davis taught Spanish with Baltimore County Public Schools, ran an after-school program in Southeast Baltimore, and served as a community aide for an Argentine Congresswoman.
As Chief of Staff, Mr. Davis serves as an advisor to the Housing Commissioner and helps guide the work of the agency. He is committed to building equitable communities and creating a city where all Baltimoreans can live in clean, safe, and vibrant neighborhoods.
Mr. Davis is a Goucher College graduate.
|
Glenda Curtis - Equity Officer
Glenda Curtis joins DHCD as the agency's first Equity Officer. Ms. Curtis previously worked in the Office of the Mayor and with the City's Office of Equity and Civil Rights to assist with the implementation of Equity Ordinance 18-160, which seeks to close the gaps in policy, practices, and the allocation of City resources. Ms. Curtis was also appointed to the Adult Public Guardianship Board to provide oversight to agencies regarding the well-being of disabled and elderly adults.
Ms. Curtis has a background in providing a comprehensive range of services to the community to aid in the development and enrichment of individuals and families with needs.
Ms. Curtis is a Coppin State graduate and has a master's in Human Services from Lincoln University.
|
Mary Correia - Deputy Commissioner,
Consolidated Planning
Ms. Correia brings to Baltimore City government a wide-ranging background in economic and community development in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She has experience in disaster recovery, oversight of state and federal incentive and grant programs, developing permanently affordable housing through community land trusts, and working with marginalized communities to build resiliency and social and economic equity.
As Deputy Commissioner, Ms. Correia will lead oversight of the city’s annual U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant formula-based funding. Ms. Correia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rider University.
|
|
|
DHCD thanks Steve Janes, Deputy Commissioner, Research and Consolidated Planning, for his many years of service to the City of Baltimore. Mr. Janes, who served the City for 35 years, retired June 30.
Mr. Janes oversaw and managed budgets for personnel; Community Development Block Grant Program staff; nonprofit partners; and outreach. He also ensured that the Agency was in fiscal, programmatic, and regulatory compliance with federal laws.
During his tenure, Mr. Janes was instrumental in helping to produce the Empowerment Zone application, which awarded the City $100 million; bringing Geographic Information System technology to the City; and instituting all of the Consolidated Plans.
We appreciate Mr. Janes’s contributions and dedication to the City of Baltimore and its residents.
|
|
|
|
|
|
