1: In the Beginning
MHP’s history is grounded in grassroots community activism and a commitment to social justice. In the summer of 1988, Rev. Lincoln “Lon” Dring and housing activist Peg McRory gathered a group of friends and acquaintances around Peg’s dining room table. They were concerned about the lack of quality, affordable housing in Montgomery County, and decided to form a nonprofit housing organization that could work with local governments and the community to identify and implement viable solutions. From this vision, MHP was born in 1989.
2: Norman L. Christeller
Norman L. Christeller practiced what he preached, living out his belief that it is important to leave a place a little better than you found it. A strong advocate for affordable housing and development of mixed-income communities in Montgomery County, he helped create MHP and then agreed to serve as the organization’s first president. He was instrumental in passage of a groundbreaking Montgomery County law mandating that developers include moderately-priced homes in their projects. Before leading MHP, he served on the Montgomery County Council and county planning board. MHP’s Amherst Square Community Center is named after him to honor his memory. His legacy also lives on in the Annual Norman Christeller Golf Classic, providing essential funds for MHP Community Life programs for children, which he strongly supported.
3: Growing Up MHP – Kony’s Story
In so many ways, Kony is what MHP is all about. As a young child, she grew up in an MHP home, attending MHP afterschool programs. When she was old enough, she volunteered at the same programs. After high school, Kony worked as an Americorps member supporting MHP enrichment programs. Now, she is an employee, serving as the site manager for one of MHP’s Community Life student enrichment programs. Through it all, with support and guidance from MHP staff, she aspired, inspired and overcame challenges that she didn’t let stop her. Read her full story.
4: Fair Housing Act Opens Doors
On April 11, 1968, the Fair Housing Act was signed into law as part of the landmark Civil Rights Act. The law opened doors that previously were closed to classes of people, particularly affecting those facing economic challenges. A core tenet of the statute is that all people must have equal opportunities to access housing and cannot be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status and disability. More recently, Montgomery County added protections on the basis of sexual orientation and source of income.
5: MHP Goes Green
Earth Day isn’t the only day that is green at MHP — green living is a core value. MHP has won recognition as a NeighborWorks Green Organization by demonstrating a comprehensive commitment to sustainable operations. MHP focuses its real estate development activity on meeting Enterprise Green Communities standards through energy-efficient upgrades and use of green building products and processes throughout its portfolio. In 2011, MHP piloted its first youth Green Club for children in families residing in the Glenville Road community. Successes have included collecting more than 200 pounds of litter, achieving a 92-percent resident participation rate for its recycling program, and building a new community garden at the Long Branch Community Center, yielding 20 pounds of produce in a single season. Learn more about MHP’s commitment to sustainability and environmental principles.
6: Beall’s Grant Is Reborn
In May 2018, MHP cut the ribbon to reopen a fully renovated Beall’s Grant Apartments in Rockville following a $4.8-million renovation. The residences offer modern, affordable living in a transit-friendly neighborhood adjacent to Rockville Town, within walking distance of many essential amenities. The building originally was a motel constructed in 1965 and was purchased by MHP along with another smaller building immediately adjacent to execute on the vision to create affordable rental housing. The development provides access to affordable housing in an area that has undergone a significant transformation, including new high-end apartment buildings. Residents are excited to be there and not be priced out of the neighborhood. One resident had previously experienced homelessness, and he described the impact of being able to call Beall’s Grant his new home: “When you are homeless and move in, it changes everything.” Another resident noted the proximity to public transportation and a modernized Rockville center. “It’s made Rockville a much better place to live.”
7: A Lasting Legacy – The Morgans
Rita and John Morgan were early supporters of Montgomery Housing Partnership. During her life, Rita was an activist for fair and equal treatment of all residents of Montgomery County, where she and John raised their five children. Rita advocated in support of equal housing rights in Montgomery County, and served on the Montgomery County Council Zoning Board of Appeals. She also served as President of Suburban Maryland Fair Housing, a volunteer organization, was chairperson of the Dollars for Democrats Drive, and was a member of the Women’s Political Caucus. Since Rita’s passing, John has provided significant support to MHP through the Rita Morgan Charitable Trust, honoring the memory and legacy of his late wife.
8: A Revolutionary Concept – The Bonifant
In June 2014, a revolutionary concept in affordable housing began to take shape, representing an important milestone for MHP as a nonprofit housing developer. Ground was broken for The Bonifant, MHP’s first expansion into developing senior housing. Located in the heart of downtown Silver Spring, The Bonifant is a beautifully designed, 11-story, mixed-use building that provides 149 apartment homes to seniors. The mixed-use development is a national model of what affordable housing can and should be. It is the first affordable housing development located on the same site as a public use facility – the County-owned Silver Spring library. The Bonifant, developed in partnership with Donohoe Construction Company, also is a model for transit-oriented, affordable development in the heart of a vibrant, walkable neighborhood for seniors.
9: Golf To Support Youth Programs
Named after MHP’s first president and long-time board chair, the Norman Christeller Annual Golf Tournament provided seed money that launched MHP. Christeller was a strong champion for affordable housing and in 1989 he co-founded MHP, working with affordable housing advocates in the community. He passed away in 1999, leaving an enduring legacy in Montgomery County. Today, proceeds from the annual golf tournament support our Community Life programs, including preschool, homework clubs, and middle school programs for low-income residents in our communities. The tournament has grown from a smaller community event with a handful of sponsors to a major undertaking with more than 30 sponsors and 120 golfers. A highlight of the more recent tournaments is a Youth Golf Clinic, which began in 2010 to provide basic golf techniques to youth ages 11-17 who live at MHP properties. For many, this is their first introduction to golf.
10: Dring’s Reach Apartments
Norman L. Christeller practiced what he preached, living out his belief that it is important to leave a place a little better than you found it. A strong advocate for affordable housing and development of mixed-income communities in Montgomery County, he helped create MHP and then agreed to serve as the organization’s first president. He was instrumental in passage of a groundbreaking Montgomery County law mandating that developers include moderately-priced homes in their projects. Before leading MHP, he served on the Montgomery County Council and county planning board. MHP’s Amherst Square Community Center is named after him to honor his memory. His legacy also lives on in the Annual Norman Christeller Golf Classic, providing essential funds for MHP Community Life programs for children, which he strongly supported.