IHA Selects a New President/CEO – Welcome Jodie Ostoich!

inte8821 • March 16, 2018

Announcement – IHA Selects a New President/CEO!

Contact: Jeff Dunn, Interfaith Housing Alliance Board Chairperson, jadunn01@gmail.com
or Hugh Gordon, Vice President of Development and Programs,
hgordon@interfaithhousing.org, (301) 662-4225 x1216

IHA’s Executive search committee comprised of current and past Board members worked the last four months to carefully consider and identify Motter’s successor on behalf of the Board. Chair, Jeff Dunn said that there were more than 100 applicants for the job and four strong finalists were identified. Jodie proved to be the best fit for the role which earned her the title of IHA’s new President/CEO. According to Dunn, “Ostoich did an excellent job during the screening and interview process showing us that she had a deep understanding of the importance of affordable housing for individuals, families and communities based on her prior work at Reach. Based on her knowledge, energy, and passion for the job, we are excited to have Jodie lead the next chapter of IHA’s growth and impact in the region. We are confident that Jodie will carry on the excellent work that Tricia has achieved during her tenure.”

Interfaith Housing Alliance was established in 1990 by a group of faith-based volunteers who understood the importance and need for affordable housing in the region. Ostoich will serve as only the third Executive for the organization and officially takes the helm on April 2nd. According to Mr. Dunn, IHA currently employs 17 full and part-time staff with a total budget in excess of $1,800,000.

 

Gary Free resident at Residences at Railroad Square Apartments

March 3, 2025
Gary Free grew up in Brunswick, MD. The first time he saw the Residences at Railroad Square, he knew he would love to live in the apartments. Now all he can think to himself is, “I am living here!” Gary said the day he signed his lease he was so happy! He has a picture hanging in his apartment that says, “You’re Home.” Gary looks at it often and says to himself, “I am!” He finally feels at peace. Gary feels his home is nice! He also feels one of the ways of living at Residences of Railroad Square is that he now has everything he ever wanted, asked for and needed. The only thing he feels is a concern is that most of the time he gets lonely. His goal is to try to meet people. He says, “I’m a very friendly person.” Gary says his experience living at the Residences at Railroad Square has been rather good. If he has any concerns he can talk to the office staff. He feels it can’t get any better than this!

Lease-up of Residence of Railroad Square

By Crystal Thomas • March 3, 2025
With excitement and anticipation, I watched the groundbreaking on June 29, 2023, with my assistant Vickie and IHA’s Supportive Services coordinator, Sandi. By the middle of September 2023 concrete walls were being set up. We watched as the roof was completed; then the windows and doors were installed. We impatiently waited for the day we received permission to see the inside of the Residences of Railroad Square property. Finally, on September 25, 2024, we had the privilege to tour the inside of this beautiful property. On the weekend of September 27, 2024, the IHA property management team along with the CEO Jodie, held a two-day in-person application event. The owners of First Stop Brunswick generously donated their space at 2. E. Baltimore Street. That lease up kick off generated 56 applications. Over the next three months, ninety more applications were submitted. Each applicant came with their own story which stirred our hearts. No matter how different their stories may have been, they all had the same wish, a place to call home for Christmas! On November 5, 2024, the first resident signed their lease and on December 23, 2024, the last empty unit was filled! Not only were we able to fulfill these residents' Christmas wishes but it also filled our hearts with joy!

Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is proud to announce 4 funding awards received this quarter from community partners.

March 3, 2025
In November 2024, IHA was awarded a $20,000 grant from Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. This grant supports IHA’s three workshop series: Credit Café ; Financial Freedom Bootcamp ; and Ready, Set, Go… Home! In Credit Café, participants work specifically on improving their credit. Financial Freedom Bootcamp builds critical foundational skills for financial success. Ready, Set, Go… Home! walks participants through the entire homebuying process from start to finish. IHA also received a $1,574.37 designated grant from The PNC Homeownership Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These pass-through funds will directly support low- to moderate-income (LMI) households in achieving homeownership in Frederick County. In December 2024, IHA was awarded a $29,498 grant from the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT). MAHT is administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization. This grant program is a valuable resource for the advancement of affordable housing initiatives and will provide operational assistance to IHA’s affordable multifamily community in Cumberland, MD. In January 2025, IHA was awarded a $2,500 grant by The Natelli Communities Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These unrestricted funds will support IHA’s work across the multiple counties served by our programs and affordable rental communities.
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