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MHP Named HAND Developer of the Year 2025

The Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND) named MHP its 2025 Housing Achievement Developer of the Year. The Housing Achievement awards recognize outstanding individuals, housing developments, programs, and solutions that have made significant investments into creating more equitable communities across the Capital Region. MHP will receive the award during HAND’s 34th Annual Meeting and Housing Expo in Washington DC on June 5.  

Committed to fulling its mission of housing people, empowering families, and strengthening neighborhoods, MHP has over the years embraced a strategy of focusing some of its investments along transit lines, including along the ongoing Purple Line transit corridor project. The investments along transit lines demonstrate our strategic innovations in expanding access to quality affordable housing for low- and -moderate-income earners. At a time when many neighborhoods across the DMV have seen spikes in rent which bring financial challenges for low- and -moderate-income earners, today, MHP has expanded the total number of preserved or renovated units along the Purple Line corridor to 1,100, a productive step in preventing displacement. This brings the total number of affordable housing homes developed by MHP to about 3,000.  

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State of Maryland Honors MHP with Excellence in Affordable Housing Preservation Award

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) recently presented MHP its Excellence in Affordable Housing Preservation Award in recognition of the nonprofit developer’s work on the Residences at Forest Glen. DHCD Secretary Jake Day presented the award to MHP President Robert A. Goldman during the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition’s (MAHC) annual Secretary’s Breakfast and awards ceremony. The Multifamily awards highlight some of the best projects in Maryland that have received DHCD support. 

The Residences at Forest Glen, a ground up development of 189 units in Silver Spring, is one of the largest affordable housing projects in Montgomery County. Located near the I-495 Capital Beltway, the Forest Glen Metro station, and many bus routes, this $100 million multifamily development is a transit-friendly community with amenities such as a community room, fitness center, multiple courtyards, underground parking, landscaped green space, a community garden, and higher-trim design features such as floor to ceiling windows.  

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MHT Awards MHP for Flower Theater Historic Façade Restoration

Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) named MHP the recipient of its 2025 Excellence in Restoration Award in recognition of the nonprofit developer’s work on the historic façade at the Flower Theater. MHT will award MHP and nine other organizations throughout the Preservation Month (May 2025) celebrations. The awards recognize outstanding education, restoration, and revitalization projects, as well as individual leadership.  

MHP completed the reconstruction of the historic façade of the former Flower Theater in February 2024 after many years of the edifice’s disrepair. Located in the Long Branch neighborhood of Silver Spring, the historical edifice opened in 1950 and operated as a movie theater until it closed in 1996. The theater’s signature neon sign and marquee had been dark for many years, creating public safety issues and underutilized space on the block. For several decades, this historic building was left dilapidated and had its exterior appearance degraded by aging signage. Contracted to Donohoe, the Flower Theater’s project revived the iconic neon sign, relit the marquee, and renovated the ticket booth using original materials and techniques, reinvigorating a vibrant economic community.   

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MHP Celebrates Gardens of Gaithersburg Affordable Apartments with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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APRIL 2025 ADVOCACY UPDATE – Affordable Housing Support

April Advocacy Update – Affordable Housing Support

Federal Updates

On the Hill 

MHP staff were on Capitol Hill in April to advocate for federal programs that support housing & community development, which are under threat of being defunded or eliminated entirely. These include programs like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Community Development Block Grants, housing vouchers and more. We had great conversations with members of the Maryland delegation on the current challenges facing affordable housing providers and opportunities to enhance these programs. Thank you to Senators Van Hollen and Alsobrooks, as well as the offices of Representatives Raskin and Delaney for taking the time to meet with us! 

Section 4 Saved

In the midst of the constant barrage of news about federal agencies being dismantled and programs being defunded, there was one bright spot on our visit. In February, there was an announcement that HUD Section 4 grants for affordable housing & community development were being eliminated. However, recent news announced that the program was reinstated. The Section 4 program enhances the capacity of community organizations to carry out community development and affordable housing activities that benefit low-income individuals.  

State

General Assembly Cuts and Increases

The Maryland General Assembly recently wrapped up the 2025 legislative session. As with every session, there were victories and setbacks for housing.   

This year, the major focus for the General Assembly was how to resolve the state’s $3 billion deficit. Ultimately, the General Assembly agreed on a combination of cuts and revenue enhancements to balance the budget. 

Programs which support affordable housing and community development were largely level funded in the budget. In terms of programs that support affordable housing, the state’s Capital Budget includes full funding for the state’s primary tool for creating and preserving affordable housing, known as Rental Housing Works. The approved budget includes $85M for Rental Housing Works. This is a reduction of $25 million from the previous year; however, given the state’s deficit, advocates were grateful that it was spared from more drastic cuts. In addition, the state budget includes $7 million for the Housing Innovation Fund, which provides loans to local public housing authorities and county governments to develop affordable housing. 

Property Tax Abatements Expanded

A key bill for MHP this year was House Bill 390, which provides additional flexibility to local governments in how they provide property tax abatements to qualifying affordable housing projects. Previously, in order to be eligible for tax abatements, an affordable housing project had to be tied to either new construction or renovation of an existing building. This change in state law will enable local governments to also provide tax abatements when a developer acquires a naturally occurring affordable housing property and agrees to certain affordability requirements. Property tax abatements are an important tool for local governments in preserving and creating affordable housing, and the bill will help local governments preserve existing affordable housing. Special thanks to Montgomery County Delegate Marc Korman and Baltimore County Senator Shelly Hettleman for sponsoring the legislation. 

Housing for Jobs Act

Governor Moore’s Housing for Jobs Act, House Bill 503, did not pass before the end of session. As introduced, the bill would have streamlined the approval processes for housing development when there are too few homes in a region to support available jobs. The bill was heavily amended in the waning days of the legislative session, but it failed to pass. 

Good Cause Legislation

Another noteworthy bill was House Bill 709 which dealt with Just/Good Cause legislation. This type of legislation has been introduced for several years running. In short, the Good Cause legislation would limit the ability of housing providers to remove a tenant at the end of their lease. Housing providers would be required to offer a lease renewal to tenants unless they have a Good Cause not to do so.  The bill failed to make it out of the House or Senate this year. 

Local

Proposed County Budget Preserves Pipeline

On March 15, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich released his recommended budget for the coming fiscal year. In total, his budget includes more than $121 million for the preservation or construction of affordable housing. This level of funding would be enough to keep the current pipeline of affordable housing projects on track. Please consider emailing the County Council to convey your support for affordable housing programs and urge the Council not to cut any funding. 

MHP Residents Testify in Support

In April, the Montgomery County Council, held a series of public hearings on the operating budget. Many providers and residents of affordable housing turned out to urge the Council to support the County Executive’s budget, including several MHP residents. Watch it here (our resident begins speaking at 2:21).  

  

  

 

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APRIL 2025 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

The Neighborhood Monthly eNewsletter – April 2025

Housing People

What’s New in DC?

MHP is the nonprofit developer of two affordable properties in the District’s Ward 8 neighborhood: Unity Place and Crescent Park Village.  

Unity Place is home to almost 400 apartment homes and is currently being renovated, with 70% of construction now completed. Check out this photo of the new community center being built! The center will be complemented by a fantastic new playground, providing enhanced amenities for the many children and families living there. 

Crescent Park Village is a garden style community containing 110 apartments. Construction is also underway there, with a focus on units with over 10-year occupancy. MHP has engaged a consultant to oversee predevelopment for an energy and water retrofit project funded through a $2.3M National Housing Trust grant. We’re glad to provide long-term residents with a refresh and determine ways to enhance sustainability and efficiency. 

Parkview Towers Update

After seven years of major fundraising efforts, MHP has closed on the financing at Parkview Towers, raising nearly $7 million to make long-needed repairs to the façade. This monumental task required tremendous collaboration amongst our real estate, asset management, and finance teams, plus many others along the way. Improvements will begin soon, enhancing the lives of residents and neighbors in the Takoma Park community.  

 

Empowering Families

FLOW Students Reach for Stars

We believe in the power and potential of our Future Leaders of the World (FLOW) students to reach for the stars! They explored the great beyond on a recent trip to Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. This flagship building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. exhibits aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets, and other flight-related artifacts. Students enjoyed highlights such as the 1903 Wright Flyer: Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit, Star Trek Starship Enterprise Studio Model, Lilienthal Glider, Fuselage, Northrop, T-38 Talon, and more. 

Tiny Play & Learn Chefs

On Wednesdays, students in our Takoma Park Play & Learn programs take part in a fun, educational, and tasty activity: make your own lunch! This is part of a unit on nutrition in which preschool-age children are learning about what’s in our food, how to prepare simple dishes, and how nutrients affect our bodies. They also get to use plastic knives and feel like real chefs!

Strengthening Neighborhoods

Brunch for Seniors Supports Local Business

More than 30 senior residents at The Bonifant at Silver Spring gathered for a special brunch, featuring Thai delicacies courtesy of Kook Kai restaurant, a family-run business in downtown Silver Spring. Hosted by MHP Community Engagement Specialist Brownette Suku, the event raised awareness about the impact of Purple Line light rail construction on small businesses while creating an opportunity for seniors to discover local business offerings. The residents were delighted to indulge in new flavors and surprised to learn that one of the founders/owners of the restaurant is a fellow resident at The Bonifant. 

As part of the Discover Bonifant initiative, MHP works on community engagement and placemaking efforts to support local businesses in this Downtown Silver Spring neighborhood. There are many unique and vibrant establishments that are struggling due to Purple Line construction disruptions, which can hinder foot traffic and deter customers.  

Consider stopping by Bonifant Street to show your support – and discover a new place to eat! 

Inaugural World Water Day Celebration

World Water Day called for piñatas, and our residents answered! MHP was honored to take part in Montgomery County’s first ever World Water Day celebration and showcase piñatas created by some of the talented, artistic women living in our Wheaton properties. We were also glad to support the mission of World Water Day, which the United Nations has been observing since 1993. The goal is to raise awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe freshwater worldwide. Although water covers about 71% of the Earth, only 3% of it is fresh!  

From a local perspective, this event was an opportunity to share what’s happening in the Montgomery County community and to provide resources that show how we can protect our local rivers and streams, the source of our drinking water.   

Long Branch Events Calendar

oin us on May 5 in celebrating Cinco De Mayo in Long Branch. In collaboration with many of our Long Branch businesses, there will be food and drink specials, music and dancing, and piñatas every hour! Learn more at here.

Building Dreams Tour

MHP provides thousands of low- and moderate-income families and individuals with quality affordable homes where they can thrive. Our Building Dreams tour, a one-hour experience, is a way to see our work first-hand. Each tour is held at an MHP property and explores the heart of all we do. 

The tours include learning about our holistic approach to housing. You will walk the property, see facilities like Community Centers where innovative programs are happening, and hear inspiring resident stories.

Upcoming Tour

Wednesday, June 11

10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Colonnade at the Creek

RSVP by contacting Jaimee Goodman at jgoodman@mhpartners.org or by phone at 301-812-4118.

Let us show you how MHP is fulfilling our mission by housing people, empowering families, and strengthening neighborhoods.

We’re Hiring

MHP is seeking qualified candidates to join our dynamic team in Silver Spring. With a mission that matters, MHP employees make a difference and enjoy a range of professional benefits.

You might be a fit for our featured job openings. Learn more here.

With competitive pay and benefits, a positive and inclusive workplace culture, and a mission to help people in the community, MHP is a great place to grow your career!

 

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MARCH 2025 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

The Neighborhood Monthly eNewsletter – March 2025

Housing People

Touring Greenwood 

MHP recently held its first quarterly Building Dreams Tour of 2025 at Greenwood Terrace Apartments in Silver Spring. These tours offer an opportunity to experience our work firsthand and view an affordable housing property developed by MHP. During the tour, MHP President Robert A. Goldman highlighted our work in housing people, empowering families, and strengthening neighborhoods. We were delighted to hear one of our residents sing for the group of visitors. Another special appearance was made by Gloria Castro, who shared stories about her time working with MHP students. Thanks to everyone who came out! Contact Jaimee if you are interested in attending the next tour.  

Real Estate Thought Leadership 

MHP VP of Real Estate Stephanie Roodman recently participated as a panelist in the State of the Housing Market event organized by Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND) and Bozzuto. It was a packed house and industry leaders tackled critical topics such as construction, development, financing challenges, and strategic partnerships, shedding light on what’s driving development in 2025. In these times of shifting market conditions, it’s important to share resources with fellow professionals in the affordable housing field.  

Empowering Families

Giving Back with The Civic Circle

MHP students are learning about the joy of helping others. Thanks to our partner The Civic Circle, students recently learned about what a food pantry is and how food donations can help people in need. They participated in an activity with Silver Spring Christian Reformed Church and helped pack bags for a local food pantry. This hands-on experience was a rewarding way to support the community. Through community life program partnerships, MHP enriches student learning and engagement. 

Resident-Curated Art

Art makes our community more vibrant, especially when it’s student art! Recently, one of our amazing community life program alumni worked with his teacher to curate a student art gallery. Alhagie’s work is on display along with a few of his peers’ compositions. Stop by the rental office at Pembridge Square apartments in Wheaton, MD to view the exhibition, which features self-portraits and still life works. Watch Alhagie’s video here. 

Strengthening Neighborhoods

Stores Next Door

As the Purple Line light rail construction faces challenges and delays, neighborhoods throughout this corridor are being hit hard. Local businesses are dealing with construction disruptions that limit foot traffic and put their survival at risk. MHP’s Discover Long Branch initiative is supporting these businesses through a wide array of monthly events. The first event of 2025 was Stores Next Door. Over 125 people attended the event and got to know more about restaurants, stores, and services in Long Branch. Community members also shared their feedback and hopes for the area.   

NeighborWorks Leaders Provide WHM Inspiration

As part of our Women’s History Month programming, MHP hosted executive officers from NeighborWorks America. President and CEO Marietta Rodriguez and other dynamic women leaders shared their career trajectories and discussed the importance of having mentors to guide them along the way. It was inspiring to have a candid and meaningful discussion with these accomplished leaders in the affordable housing field. 

MHP has been a member of NeighborWorks America for 23 years. A congressionally chartered and funded nonpartisan nonprofit, NeighborWorks America supports organizations that provide communities with affordable housing, financial counseling and coaching, training, and resident engagement and collaboration in the areas of health, employment and education. 

Special Thank You Video

In case you missed it, our team wanted to express gratitude to everyone who made our campaign a success. Here’s a special video to say thanks for helping us raise $21.1 million dollars over the last three years.  

Building Dreams Tour

MHP provides thousands of low- and moderate-income families and individuals with quality affordable homes where they can thrive. Our Building Dreams tour, a one-hour experience, is a way to see our work first-hand. Each tour is held at an MHP property and explores the heart of all we do. 

The tours include learning about our holistic approach to housing. You will walk the property, see facilities like Community Centers where innovative programs are happening, and hear inspiring resident stories.

Upcoming Tour

Wednesday, June 11

10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Colonnade at the Creek

RSVP by contacting Jaimee Goodman at jgoodman@mhpartners.org or by phone at 301-812-4118.

Let us show you how MHP is fulfilling our mission by housing people, empowering families, and strengthening neighborhoods.

We’re Hiring

MHP is seeking qualified candidates to join our dynamic team in Silver Spring. With a mission that matters, MHP employees make a difference and enjoy a range of professional benefits.

You might be a fit for our featured job openings. Learn more here.

With competitive pay and benefits, a positive and inclusive workplace culture, and a mission to help people in the community, MHP is a great place to grow your career!

 

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FEBRUARY 2025 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

The Neighborhood Monthly eNewsletter – February 2025

Housing People

Playground Highlight 

Our latest property developments are beautiful in many ways. This month, we’re giving a sneak peek at a stand-out feature that sets MHP properties apart: our engaging, attractive, and accessible playgrounds! Check out the photos below, which showcase some of the fun zones in progress and recently completed.

Empowering Families

Supporting Academic Growth 

It takes a village to support students and MHP’s enrichment programs are needed now more than ever. According to the latest Nation’s Report Card, put out every two years by NAEP, U.S. students in fourth and eighth grade made some math gains since 2022, however, their scores remain below pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Reading proficiency was worse – fourth graders dropped from 35% in 2019 to 31% in 2024. Eighth graders saw similar declines.

Staff at MHP’s community life enrichment programs are working to close these types of gaps. The programs are free of charge and available to children who qualify based on income at our community centers and partner school. They also fulfill an important childcare need for working parents, which is especially important considering recent in-office work requirements. Thank you to everyone who supports MHP and helps our students get the enrichment they need.

Winter Trips

Even on chilly winter days, staff have found ways to keep our students active via trips to indoor locations. Here is a photo of the Play & Learn crew enjoying playtime at Hyper Kidz indoor play space! We’ve also visited museums, science centers, and other engaging venues.

Strengthening Neighborhoods

Credit Score Gains

A good credit score is important for getting access to loans, rental options and even job opportunities. It can also lead to lower interest rates, better loan terms and less expensive borrowing costs. However, when people are living paycheck to paycheck, they often need to make difficult financial decisions that can lower their credit scores.

Since last summer, MHP residents at two properties in Takoma Park have been participating in a rent reporting pilot in which their on-time rent payments are being reported to credit reporting agencies. After just six months, residents have increased their credit scores by an average of +44 points! The most dramatic increases were for individuals with the lowest credit scores, such as sub 500 scores. One household even saw their credit score increase by a whopping +131 points, which is incredible. We will continue to assess how we can support residents in improving their credit scores and obtaining more resources that can help their financial situations, including career coaching through our partner Career Catchers.

Seeking Volunteers and Food Donations

We’re looking for a two-person team with a truck to help MHP expand our community food distributions to at least one more site in Silver Spring / Takoma Park. We have access to free food for our residents via our partners, however due to recent changes in their operations, we are looking for support with picking up and distributing the food once a month for about 3 hours. The team would need to lift the food into their own truck, drive it to the designated property site, and then help with unloading and distributing the food to residents. This usually occurs at midday on Fridays.

Also, we’re looking for donations of nonperishable food and baby supplies (diapers, formula, bottles, etc.) to stock our pantry in Wheaton, MD.

Are you interested in donating your time and vehicle for this purpose? Or would you like to drop off a batch of canned goods and other supplies to stock our pantry? Please email Fatima Coreas to coordinate:  fcoreas@mhpartners.org   Thanks for your consideration!

Fair Housing Focus

What is the Fair Housing Act and why does it matter? At our recent professional development, MHP welcomed Sandra Y. Stewart, an experienced Fair Housing Instructor and Director of Growth and Development for Long and Foster Real Estate. Sandra illuminated how the purposeful segregation by design that plagued communities of color for generations prevented equal access to housing and exacerbated financial and social discrimination throughout the United States. In 1968, the Fair Housing Act was approved. This important doctrine prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions because of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, familial status, and disability. It also requires that all federal programs relating to housing and urban development be administered in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing. Thank you to Sandra for improving our understanding of this important topic.

We Dit It!

Thanks to your support, we’ve exceeded our Making Home Possible for All $20 million campaign goal. In 2021, MHP began our bold campaign to double affordable housing by the end of the decade and in 2025, we have surpassed this number, strengthening our position to achieve this ambitious mission-driven goal.  Read more about this achievement here.

Building Dreams Tour

MHP provides thousands of low- and moderate-income families and individuals with quality affordable homes where they can thrive. Our Building Dreams tour, a one-hour experience, is a way to see our work first-hand. Each tour is held at an MHP property and explores the heart of all we do. 

The tours include learning about our holistic approach to housing. You will walk the property, see facilities like Community Centers where innovative programs are happening, and hear inspiring resident stories.

Upcoming Tour

Wednesday, March 12

10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Greenwood Terrace

RSVP by contacting Jaimee Goodman at jgoodman@mhpartners.org or by phone at 301-812-4118.

Let us show you how MHP is fulfilling our mission by housing people, empowering families, and strengthening neighborhoods.

We’re Hiring

MHP is seeking qualified candidates to join our dynamic team in Silver Spring. With a mission that matters, MHP employees make a difference and enjoy a range of professional benefits.

You might be a fit for our featured job openings. Learn more here.

With competitive pay and benefits, a positive and inclusive workplace culture, and a mission to help people in the community, MHP is a great place to grow your career!

 

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Empowering Families

Strengthening Neighborhoods