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January 2024 Monthly Newsletter

The Neighborhood Monthly eNewsletter – January 2024

2023 was a highly productive year at MHP. Thanks to our dedicated staff, partners, and supporters, we met or exceeded many of our goals, expanded access to affordable housing, enhanced our supportive programs, and remained a strong presence in the community of Montgomery County and beyond. Given the high cost of living in our region coupled with inflation, we responded to the varied needs of our residents, providing a wide range of services and resources, helping families living on low and moderate incomes. We’re proud to provide quality affordable housing for more than 4,000 people and remain committed to our mission of housing people, empowering families, and strengthening neighborhoods.

Here are some highlights from 2023:

Housing People

  • 189 apartments – Residences at Forest Glen financial close, demolition, groundbreaking, and construction progress
  • 395 apartments – Worthington Woods financial close, groundbreaking, progress on renovations
  • 78 apartments – N Frederick financial close, renovations coming in 2024
  • 96 apartments – Colonnade at the Creek renovations and ribbon cutting
  • Nebel Street Site Plan – All entitlements received, all funding including 9 and 4 percent tax credits awarded, and application for building permits was made
  • Amherst Square / Wheaton Arts – Sketch Plan approved

Empowering Families

  • Increased overall student enrollment, serving 400+ children in 2023
  • Expanded outreach efforts to Rollingwood Apartments, including a community celebration where we distributed more than 140 backpacks and supply gift cards
  • Partnered with Empowering the Ages, providing mentoring for FLOW middle school students
  • Provided arts and nature programming in partnership with Nature Forward and Washington Conservatory of Music
  • Achieved 82% attendance at Amherst/Pembridge GATOR Club
  • Achieved 100% parent satisfaction rate for GATOR Club

Strengthening Neighborhoods

  • Launched free scholarship portal for MHP residents, with more than 10 categories of scholarships targeting the community’s demographics
  • Grew number of recipients at Gilbert Highlands monthly food distribution and oversaw new food distribution efforts at Great Hope Homes and Amherst/Pembridge
  • Oversaw distribution of over $56,000 in fire relief funds
  • Provided Community Health Worker training for a second MHP resident engagement specialist
  • Hosted 11 events in Long Branch, including new Cuts 4 Cuties event which provided free haircuts to almost 80 kids in time for back to school
  • Led group of Worthington Woods residents to NeighborWorks Community Leadership Institute
  • Led restoration of Flower Theatre façade, including placing the iconic Flower neon sign that adorns the top of the theater, relighting the marquee, restoring the ticket booth, and more
  • Held first Apartment Assistance Program landlord seminar in three years with the highest number of attendees in AAP history

 

 

 

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MHP Director of Policy and Neighborhood Development Addresses Affordable Housing Webinar

MHP Director of Policy and Neighborhood Development, Chris Gillis, recently participated in a webinar on affordable and attainable housing in Montgomery County. Gillis joined three other industry experts in a webinar organized by the League of Women Voters of Montgomery Country Maryland (LWVMOCOMD). Gillis said MHP, as the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in Montgomery County, has grown leaps and bounds over the years, currently managing about 3,000 apartment units, largely thanks to policy changes and funding by Montgomery County. He said within the last 18 months, MHP has grown its portfolio by about 500-600 units in Montgomery County. Gillis acknowledged the inroads Montgomery County has made in addressing affordable housing especially in the last four years, using the opportunity to encourage the state and federal governments to play a greater role in affordable housing.  

MHP serves more than 4,000 residents in Montgomery County and neighboring communities, providing nearly 3,000 quality affordable homes. Watch the rest of the webinar here: Affordable and Attainable Housing in Montgomery County: Are We Making Progress? (youtube.com). Gillis’ remarks start at 27-52 secs. 

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MHP President Testifies in MoCo Council Hearing on Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Amendment

MHP President Robert Goldman recently testified during the Montgomery County Council public hearing on the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Amendment.  Goldman informed the Council that MHP is one of the largest property owners within the master plan boundaries, owing five separate properties comprising over 400 homes. He said most of these properties are located along Maple Avenue. “At present, MHP has no foreseeable plans to redevelop any of our for-profit properties in the Maple Avenue District. Some properties such as our 7610 Maple apartment community have been renovated within the last decade while others will be renovated in the coming years like our Franklin Seniors apartment building,” he informed. Goldman said MHP generally supports the recommendation in the affordable housing section of the plan. “We especially support the language seeking to increase the amount of new affordable housing, prioritizing two- and three-bedroom MPDUs and the inclusion of language encouraging developers and private residential lots to partner with nonprofit affordable housing providers to reach deeper levels of affordability,” he said. Watch the entire hearing here: Jan. 25, 2024 – Public Hearing – Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Amendment (youtube.com). Mr. Goldman’s testimony starts at: 1:30 mins.

MHP serves more than 4,000 residents in Montgomery County and neighboring communities, providing nearly 3,000 quality affordable homes. Since 1989, MHP has been preserving and expanding access to quality affordable housing. MHP is a private nonprofit that accomplishes its mission by housing people, empowering families, and strengthening neighborhoods. 

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Housing People

Empowering Families

Strengthening Neighborhoods