MHP Celebrates End of Metro ‘Turnback’ Policy Affecting Commuters in Wheaton Area

MHP President Robert A. Goldman joined members of Montgomery County Council, County officials and community representatives in celebrating the end of the Metro “turnback” policy, which meant half of Red Line trains stopped at the Silver Spring Metro station and turned back, rather than continuing on to serve riders trying to get to the Wheaton, Forest Glen and Glenmont stations. WMATA recently agreed to end the long-standing policy, which was extending commutes and negatively affecting the quality of life for area residents, including those living in MHP’s affordable homes.

Here is his statement at a media event on July 1:

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Learning on the Links

MHP’s 2019 Norman Christeller Golf Classic included a golf clinic for middle-school-aged residents who take part in MHP youth programs. Proceeds from the golf tournament help fund MHP student enrichment programs.

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Apartment Assistance Program ‘Going Green’ Seminar

Owners and managers of small apartment buildings learned about ways to conserve energy, protect the environment, and save money at a “Going Green” seminar presented by the MHP Apartment Assistance Program, an effort supported by Montgomery County’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Many thanks to El Golfo restaurant in Long Branch for hosting.

Here are links to three presentations from the seminar:

Going Green Tips from Montgomery County DEP

EmPower Maryland PEPCO Presentation – Energy Savings for Small Businesses

Montgomery County Green Bank Presentation — Clean Energy Partnerships

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Happy Earth Month!

MHP has many green projects underway as we celebrate Earth Month 2019. One of these is the annual Long Branch Cleanup of Sligo Creek in Silver Spring. A big crowd of volunteers removed many bags of trash and recyclables, and also removed invasive species from the banks of the creek. MHP’s Paul Grenier talks about why the community cleanup project is important:

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Advocacy Action Alert: Support Expanded Housing Trust Fund

The Montgomery County Council’s budget deliberations are in full swing and we need you to be a champion for programs that support affordable housing in the county.  Access to quality, affordable housing serves as an important source of stability for our neighbors who face economic challenges. 

On Wednesday, April 24, the Council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) and Health and Human Services (HHS) committees will take up the budget for the County’s housing trust fund, known as the Housing Initiative Fund (HIF). The County Executive has recommended a total of $27 million for housing production, a decrease of $1 million from last year. Even more concerning is that approximately 75% of the funds have already been committed to projects, leaving the county with very few resources to build or preserve affordable housing in the coming fiscal year. To ensure preservation and creation of affordable housing remains a top priority in Montgomery County we are requesting the County Council increase funding for the HIF by $8 million.

At the local level, emails from residents often prove to be the deciding factor in budget decisions. It is critical that Councilmembers hear from YOU on this issue before Wednesday as the committee’s recommendation will carry substantial weight with the full Council.

We want all Montgomery County residents to have the chance to flourish. Expanding affordable housing in mixed income, high opportunity areas provides access to better economic, educational, and health outcomes for community members who have been historically shut out of thriving neighborhoods.

Please email the Council to let them know that you care about residents having access to affordable housing and support additional resources for the HIF.

TAKE ACTION:

We’ve made it easy for you; all you have to do is click here and a pre-populated email will open. Simply add your name and address to the bottom of the email and press ‘Send’!

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Karaoke Time at The Bonifant

Residents of The Bonifant, MHP’s quality, affordable senior housing in downtown Silver Spring, have access to a wide array of activities and celebrations that help create a sense of community. Residents recently celebrated National Sing Out Day with a rousing karaoke session:

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MHP Advocates for Funds for Affordable Housing, Student Programming

MHP President Robert Goldman asked the Montgomery County Council to provide more funding for acquisition and preservation of affordable housing in the FY2020 budget. He also asked the council to consider supporting MHP’s Play & Learn preschool program, which he noted “directly aligns with the county’s goal of ensuring that all of our children enter school ready to learn.” Goldman made his comments in April 10 testimony before the Montgomery County Council.

Read the complete text of his testimony here.

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In the News: Goldman Discusses MoCo Affordable Housing Future

MHP Robert Goldman, a member of County Executive Marc Elrich’s transition team, talked with Bethesda Beat about the transition team’s recommendations to increase residents’ access to affordable housing in Montgomery County.

Advisers Recommend Doubling Funding for Housing Program

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Coming Attraction: Parkview Manor

Parkview Manor Apartments, MHP’s only property in Prince George’s County, is undergoing a full renovation with exciting new features and upgrades. These include brand new kitchens, bathrooms and flooring. The 53-unit Hyattsville property will be more inclusive, with two accessible units as well as an accessible management office and community room. Parkview Manor will have an artistic flare too: an artist has been commissioned to create sculptures for the property’s courtyards to provide a unifying effect and connect it aesthetically with the nearby Hyattsville art district.  Parkview Manor is in an attractive, convenient location about a mile from the Metro and within walking distance to amenities that include a grocery store, pool, and restaurants.   Stay tuned! We will announce a date for a ribbon-cutting ceremony later this year. 

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Parent Meetings Highlight Partnerships

MHP Community Life staff regularly schedule meetings with parents of students in our preschool and afterschool enrichment programs to share information.  Two recent meetings highlighted a high level of parent engagement and underscored great community partnerships that provide important resources to parents and students.

Emmanuel Jean-Philippe, principal at Arcola Elementary in Wheaton and a member of the MHP board, met with more than two dozen parents of pre-kindergarten students. He walked them through the kindergarten registration process and answered questions. Cleydi Pacheco, MHP Community Life Senior Programs Manager, said parents were very grateful for the opportunity to understand the process better, and the conversation seemed to lift some of the anxiety that can come from that big transition, not just for the student but for parents as well.

Parents of elementary students in after-school enrichment programs at MHP Wheaton properties participated in a fun, educational evening with help from MHP partners Amerigroup (special thanks to Robert Martin) and Manna Food Center. Amerigroup presented information about living a healthy lifestyle and provided a short Zumba class for parents (see photos). The Manna “Manny” bus — a mobile pop-up food pantry — was parked in the parking lot, and parents were invited to stop in a pick up a bag of vegetables to take home. Partnerships like these are a crucial part of MHP’s strategy to provide enhanced programming and information-sharing to empower families who live in MHP residences.

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