The Neighborhood Monthly eNewsletter – June 2026

 

Housing People

Paving the Way to Opportunity

Amherst is one of the most ambitious affordable housing developments in MHP’s history. The new community will bring 272 affordable apartment homes, 39 affordable for-sale townhomes, a community center, and an arts and cultural center to the heart of Wheaton. To keep this transformative project and other critical housing initiatives moving forward, MHP must raise $150,000 in unrestricted support by this fall. Your generosity will help provide stable, affordable homes, empower families through resident services and educational programs, and strengthen neighborhoods across our region. Consider making a gift and seeing your message on a paver at Amherst! https://mhpartners.org/pavetheway/

District 18 Delegation Support for Amherst

MHP was thrilled to host the MD District 18 Delegation for the presentation of a big check in Wheaton! Thanks to the advocacy of our local elected officials, MHP will receive $650,000 towards the construction of our new offices, which will be inside of the redeveloped Amherst property. In just a few years, we’ll have more office space to implement programs that fulfill our important mission. Thank you to MD State Delegates Aaron Kaufman, Emily Shetty, Jared Solomon and MD Senator Jeffrey Waldstreicher and others for making this funding possible.

 

Empowering Families

Hats Off to Our Grads

Our Community Life program graduates touched many hearts again this year. Watching children walk down the aisle to the song Pomp and Circumstance was an uplifting sight. We smiled, laughed, and sometimes cried happy tears thinking about all that they accomplished. The students sang, danced, received certificates, read poems, wore caps and gowns and enjoyed food with their families. MHP staff worked hard all year, and Community Life graduation day was the culmination of all their efforts. We know the students will be ready as they transition to kindergarten, middle school, and high school. Please enjoy a few photo highlights below from this year’s graduation ceremonies.

Watch a video of our Play and Learn grads performing a special song!

 

Strengthening Neighborhoods

NeighborWorks Week at Great Hope Homes

This year, we were fortunate to have more than twenty volunteers from NeighborWorks America join us for a playground refresh at our property Great Hope Homes in Silver Spring. The sensational group planted 120 begonias, scrubbed two playgrounds, installed a web swing, touched up paint, and did some light weeding. Our property looks beautiful thanks to the support and partnership of NeighborWorks America.

La Finca Opens in Long Branch Main Street

In response to community requests for the return of a neighborhood coffee shop, La Finca Coffee pop-up is now up and running! Next year, we hope to undertake the permanent buildout of space for the coffee shop as well as other site improvements to create a great gathering space for the community and incubate the next generation of legacy businesses in Long Branch. La Finca resides at MHP’s first commercial property, located at 8807 Flower Ave. Special shout out to the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development for their tremendous support.

In Other News

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

May was Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to pay tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success. MHP staff celebrated the occasion with an array of foods from local restaurant Shanghai Home. Thank you to our colleague Celine for selecting dishes from her culture and sharing details about them with our staff. We always enjoy connecting and learning over food!

Congressman Raskin’s Local Hero Award

Rob Goldman was recently recognized as a local hero by Congressman Jamie Raskin. Congressman Raskin said of Rob, “I associate you very much, Rob, with that holistic communal view of what housing means. It’s not just about putting up a building, but it’s about helping to shape a way of life that makes sense for people and to build in all of the ingredients that lead to a viable community life. So, look, thank you for what you’ve done.” Thank you to Congressman Raskin for his kind words and this honor. Watch the video here.