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IHA Celebrated Purchase Repair Homeownership in June!

Lacy Ames • September 5, 2023

IHA Celebrated Purchase Repair Homeownership in June!

During June's National Homeownership Month, IHA's Purchase Repair Homeownership Program commemorated the occasion by organizing an event at the downtown Frederick library. The program's comprehensive approach, which combines assistance for purchasing with support for repairs, underscores its unwavering commitment to ensuring that individuals and families not only attain homeownership but also possess the means to uphold and enhance their residences over the long term. This type of initiative plays a role in fostering both housing stability and stronger communities. 


In conjunction with IHA, the event welcomed a variety of partners including the United Way of Frederick County, USDA – RD, NeighborGood Partners, City of Frederick Housing & Human Services, Frederick County HCD, Long & Foster Realty, Clear Title, LLC, Middletown Valley Bank, and Peace of Mind Home Inspections. This impressive alliance truly illustrates that IHA's Purchase Repair Homeownership program unites a formidable group of collaborators to aid clients in realizing their ultimate aspiration of homeownership. 


The effects of this event were deeply felt by partners and clients alike, yielding successes in networking and facilitating initial face-to-face interactions. Their testimonials reflect the positive outcomes of the fair, capturing the essence of their experiences. 

Jill from NeighborGood Partners stated “I think hosting a Homeownership Fair is such a great service to Frederick County! Potential homebuyers can get a lot of different information from one location in a short period of time. There were lots of organizations to learn from and talk to; everyone there was super friendly and ready to help! It was great to be at the Homeownership Fair, hosted by Interfaith Housing Alliance. I have been working with IHA for a long time but hadn’t been able to see their staff in a long time due to COVID. It was great to catch up!”. 


Middletown Valley Bank stated “Middletown Valley Bank is appreciative to Interfaith Housing Alliance for including us in the June Homeownership Event. We believe that access to affordable housing programs such as IHA’s Purchase-Repair Homeownership Program are vital to the wellbeing of our communities. The June Home Ownership Event highlighted the importance of inclusion and financial education, as attendees were given the opportunity to learn more about the entire homeownership process, not just the homebuying process.” 


Joyce of United way of Frederick County stated “It was great connecting with potential clients, some of whom I had connected with via phone.  I especially liked that they were able to connect with several organizations at the same time and get their questions answered on the spot. They also learned how some of the organizations present work together. It was great meeting colleagues from other organizations I only knew by name, via phone, or met on a virtual meeting and learning more about their programs.” 

Michelle, PRP Client, stated “It was great finally connecting to organizations and individuals face to face instead of behind a computer for the first time in almost 3 years of working with IHA!” 


Another PRP Client stated “I didn’t know if homeownership was even possible and I’ve heard about IHA’s Purchase Repair program so many times but was apprehensive. Finally meeting staff face to face and asking the important questions helped me feel more confident that I COULD pursue my lifelong dream of homeownership!” 


Another Partner stated “It was nice to finally meet and network with the partners involved in the entire Purchase Repair process who I’ve only heard of or communicated with over the phone. I hope IHA does this again in the future.” 



Due to the previous successes and interest, IHA will be hosting a second homeownership fair on Monday, October 2nd at 5 – 8pm at the C. Burr Arts Public Library located at 110 E. Patrick Street Frederick, MD 21701. In addition to a homeownership fair, IHA is bringing an in-person Credit Café Workshop to occur during the fair as well! To RSVP and get the most up-to-date information as its available, complete this form: https://forms.office.com/r/9mxVwppciQ 


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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