Housing Frederick

A day in the life at Housing Frederick. A day that reminds us why our mission matters.
Our CEO attended the Frederick Nonprofit Summit connecting with fellow leaders on strengthening our community. Next Mary-Ellen chaired the Frederick County Affordable Housing Council meeting. Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater presented a proclamation to the council for National Homeownership month. The day ended with her teaching a “ How to Rent” workshop The Frederick Rescue Mission’s Faith House, part of a year long series to provide programs participants with financial confidence leading to housing stability.

Advocating. Collaborating. Educating. Three pillars, one mission: building pathways for housing success throughout Frederick County.

Glad to be in the room with so many nonprofit superheros, community partners, funders and volunteers.

It was full house for the The Women's Giving Circle Annual Grant Awards Celebration. So good to see our peers and colleagues making a difference in the lives of women here. Two of our financial education partners/clients won: Literacy Council of Frederick County and Empowered to Live, Inc.
Thank you to the grants committee and members who selected the recipients.

Drove past the construction site for The Madison Apartments. It will be a more affordable complex that offers an in home office in each residence. Congratulations to all the partners who are involved.

Calling landlords: you might consider joining in the conversation!

As part of the Frederick Housing Solutions Task Force, we know that some of the best solutions come from listening to the people doing the work every day.

If you own 1–5 rental units in Frederick County, we invite you to join us on June 10 from 6:00–7:30 PM at the FCAR Offices (490 Monocacy Blvd.) for a small landlord roundtable discussion.

This conversation is designed to hear directly from local landlords about rental practices, tenant screening, market challenges, and opportunities to improve housing solutions throughout our community. There’s no sales pitch and no obligation - just an opportunity to share your experiences and help shape future housing efforts in Frederick County.

We’ll also provide pizza and soft drinks as a thank-you for your time.

Your perspective matters, and we hope you’ll pull up a chair and join the conversation.

https://www.frederickhousingsolutions.org/landlord-outreach/june-10/

Do you have plans to buy a home and still have student loans? Check out this program that will help you buy a home and pay off your debt!

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Secretary Jake Day today announced that the Department has expanded the state’s landmark Maryland SmartBuy initiative, the Maryland Mortgage Program’s loan product for first-time homebuyers to purchase a home and pay off student debt. To help manage purchase costs, eligible homebuyers can now receive up to $25,000 in student loan payoff assistance – a 25% increase from the current $20,000 limit.

Maryland SmartBuy 3.0 enables qualified borrowers with student debt to purchase an eligible home in Maryland using conventional financing through the award-winning Maryland Mortgage Program. The Maryland SmartBuy program was created to make home purchasing more affordable for first-time homebuyers by eliminating eligible student loan payments.

When paired with downpayment assistance, the increase of student loan payoff assistance brings the average total aid to $40,000 for homebuyers earning below 50% of the Area Median Income, and slightly over $30,000 for all other Maryland Mortgage Program applicants. Eligible borrowers must meet all Maryland Mortgage Program underwriting requirements and must have a minimum remaining student loan balance of $1,000, with a maximum eligible payoff amount equal to 15% of the home purchase price or $25,000, whichever is lower.

The announcement of the program expansion marks the start of National Homeownership Month in June, which celebrates the impact of homeownership on families, neighborhoods and communities. Learn more about this expansion and MMP here: https://bit.ly/4okHL8t