MHP Community Engagement Specialist Fatima Coreas was interviewed on the Montgomery County public affairs program “En Sintonía.” She discussed MHP’s many programs to assist members of our community through access to quality affordable homes along with additional services, including preschool and afterschool enrichment programs for young people.
The Purple Line Corridor Coalition (PLCC), which includes MHP as an active member, has issued an updated draft Housing Action Plan covering 2023-27. PLCC is seeking community comments on this draft plan until April 30.
The draft plan proposes seven core actions that will guide the Coalition’s housing work over the next several years. The strategies are aimed at ensuring that families and individuals living near the Purple Line can benefit from the new light rail and related investments around it.
Click here for the full draft plan.
Click here for a summary of the plan’s seven (7) core actions: English | Spanish
There are two (2) ways to offer comments on this draft plan:
- By email: Comments can be emailed directly to Laura Searfoss, Senior Program Director, Mid-Atlantic, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.: lsearfoss@enterprisecommunity.org. Email is the best way to share formatted documents, such as letters.
Learn more about PLCC and its strategies and programs HERE.
MHP is proud to launch a new initiative to help our residents pursue more educational opportunities. The MHP Scholarships portal provides detailed information about scholarships and the financial aid process, tailored to the needs of affordable housing residents.
In addition, MHP staff will be available to help guide our community residents through what can be a daunting and complex process so they can seek financial assistance that will open doors to expanded educational options. Staff will connect with residents in both English and Spanish, providing targeted support on a rolling basis.
“We have seen how higher education can be a major challenge that is filled with barriers for our residents, said MHP Policy and Neighborhood Development Director Chris Gillis. “Our team created this resource to simplify the process, and we look forward to helping community members work through the various steps involved in getting a college degree.”
While this portal is geared towards MHP residents, it is a publicly available resource that may benefit others seeking information about educational opportunities.
The portal can be accessed here: https://mhpartners.org/scholarships/
A Feb. 18 fire at the Arrive high-rise apartment complex in downtown Silver Spring resulted in one fatality and injuries to multiple residents, as well as the displacement of hundreds of residents. More details are available here.
At the request of Montgomery County, MHP is managing a dedicated relief fund to assist those affected by the fire. One-hundred percent of donations will go directly to those affected. While this is not an MHP property, we maintain close ties with the community through the many affordable housing properties we have developed in Montgomery County, and are playing a role by managing financial donations to help impacted residents.
Learn more about how you can help here.
Students at five MHP sites started music lessons with the Washington Conservatory of Music. More than 80 students will receive 45 minutes of instruction each week from February through May. The curriculum supports language development. MHP began this partnership in 2019.
Washington Conservatory of Music is dedicated to fostering the joy of music and guiding students of all ages and skill levels to reach their personal musical potential. The organization is dedicated to creating a vital, inclusive, expansive musical listening and learning environment, serving the musical needs of people of all ages and diverse ethnic, racial, cultural and economic backgrounds in Montgomery County.
More than $116,000 in funds have been distributed to families affected by the catastrophic November 26 explosion and fire at the Potomac Oaks Condominium in Gaithersburg through a collaborative effort involving governmental agencies and nonprofits, including MHP.
The dedicated relief fund, which totals more than $138,000 thanks to generous donors, is being managed by MHP. One hundred percent of donations are going to affected families to cover costs and damage resulting from the explosion/fire.
MHP anticipates closing the Potomac Oaks relief fund by the end of February. Those interested in contributing to the fund should complete their donations by February 28.
You can donate here.
CELEBRATING LONG BRANCH GATEWAY MURAL
Discover Long Branch Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for New Mural in Silver Spring
The Long Branch community celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 20 adjacent to El Golfo restaurant. The event was attended by community and governmental leaders, including Maryland Del. Lorig Charkoudian, County Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz and Will Jawando, and Bill Tompkins, president/CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, which funded the project.
The new addition to the neighborhood represents a continuation of MHP’s commitment to working with the vibrant Long Branch community to create a strong sense of place centered on the diverse business district and surrounding residential communities.
The mural was designed by artist Peter Krsko and implemented by Schwa Design Group.
The design is as an extension of the beloved toucan mural already on the El Golfo building. The bird is now hanging out in the jungle treetops backed against a blue sky. The mural serves as a gateway declaring that the area is “Long Branch,” further defining and strengthening the community’s visual identity.
Learn more about Long Branch neighborhood development and events here.