The Residences at Railroad Square Groundbreaking

Jodie Ostoich • September 5, 2023

The Residences at Railroad Square Groundbreaking 

June 29, 2023, was a blistering hot and humid day. Not even the weather could dampen the excitement that buzzed inside the Steadman-Keenan America Legion Post 96 in Brunswick Maryland. The crowd gathered that day were celebrating nearly six years of collective efforts to make The Residences at Railroad Square a reality. 


Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater writes in her August 3rd newsletter: 

“This month, we celebrated the official groundbreaking of The Residences at Railroad Square in the City of Brunswick! This project is incredible and would not have been possible without dedicated, creative partnerships. Railroad Square will bring 45 households to downtown Brunswick and is already helping to revitalize this entire city block right at the entry to the City from the C&O Canal. Our administration is proud to be a partner in this project and is committed to making housing more attainable and affordable.” 


Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is the nonprofit partner and owner. IHA will be providing property management services and supportive services to the residents of The Residences at Railroad Square. 


Construction is expected to be completed in August 2024. Marketing and leasing activities will begin in April 2024. Please keep checking this location for updates: Rental Communities | Interfaith Housing Alliance 


Pictured Left to Right: Bruce Zavos, architect; CJ Tyree-Developer; Ed Simms-DHCD; Jessica Fitzwater-Frederick County Executive; Nicholas Redding-Preservation Maryland;  Nathan Brown-Mayor of City of Brunswick 

IHA Staff and Board Members Pictured Left to Right: Wakeena Jackson-IHA Board Member; Jessica Eaton, Brenda Genemans-Staff Accountant; Nyanso Diggs-Staff Accountant; Vivian Duran-Housing Specialist; Crystal Thomas-Regional Property Manager; Lacy Allen-Credit Café Program Manager; Jodie Ostoich-CEO; Vickie Major-Director of Property Management Operations; Vickie Mills-Property Management Assistant; Mark Long-former IHA Board Member 

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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