Abell Foundation housing mobility grants, cont’d.
Abell Foundation grants supporting housing mobility programs
1. Grantees: Metropolitan Baltimore Quadel/Innovative Housing Institute
Security deposit grants for families moving to non-impacted areas under the Thompson v. HUD Consent Decree.
Since 2002, the Abell Foundation has provided over $200,000 in funding for security deposits for families who are moving to non-impacted neighborhoods in the Baltimore region through two housing mobility programs implemented under the Thompson Consent Decree. These programs are administered by the Innovative Housing Institute (IHI) and Metropolitan Baltimore Quadel. IHI and Quadel counselors provide pre- and post-move counseling to help clients identify housing and neighborhoods that meet their needs, and to help ensure clients are able to make smooth transitions to their new neighborhoods.
· As of August 2004, 320 families had received security deposit assistance through this program.
· Average security deposit grant was approximately $600.
· All families are required to save some money towards security deposit and moving expenses, with individual savings goals determined on a case by case basis.
· With the assistance of counselors, clients identify housing in “non-impacted” census tracts, defined under the Thompson Decree as tracts with less than 10% poverty and less than 26% minority population.
· As clients move out, security deposit funds paid through the grant will be recaptured to support additional families.
2. Grantee: Vehicles for Change
Cars for families moving to non-impacted areas under the Thompson v. HUD Consent Decree.
In 2002, the Abell Foundation awarded a $38,000 grant to Vehicles for Change to provide cars to families who are moving to non-impacted areas that are not well-served by public transportation. Vehicles for Change is a non-profit group that provides cars for low income, employed individuals at very low cost – typically $800 – $900, financed over a one year period. Originally designed as a reverse-commute program for individuals living in inner-city Baltimore and commuting to jobs in the suburbs, the program was adapted to serve IHI and Quadel clients who are moving to suburban areas that have poor access to public transportation.
· As of June 30, 2004, 33 IHI and Quadel clients had purchased cars through Vehicles for Change.
· Monthly car payments range from $70 - $98 for a one-year loan.
· Clients must purchase their own auto insurance.
· All cars are covered by a six month warranty.
· A $38,000 matching grant from the Housing Authority of Baltimore City will subsidize cars for an additional 33 families referred by IHI and Quadel.
3. Grantee: Homes for America
Pre-development costs for development of replacement public housing units in suburban jurisdictions for families being relocated from Baltimore City public housing.
Homes for America, a non-profit developer of affordable housing, was selected to develop 57 units of subsidized housing in non-impacted areas as replacement housing for families who were relocated from one of the HOPE VI developments in Baltimore City, as part of the Thompson Consent Decree. The Abell Foundation provided a $30,000 grant to Homes for America in October 2000 to pay for pre-developments costs related to development of these units. Development of the units has been delayed as Homes for America has been engaged in protracted negotiations with HUD and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City over the details of the development agreement.
4. Grantee: BRIDGE
Inclusionary Zoning for the Baltimore Region Campaign.
In April 2004, the Abell Foundation provided a $40,000 grant to a faith-based affordable housing coalition known as BRIDGE (Baltimore Regional Initiative Developing Genuine Equality) to support its joint efforts with two other groups – Innovative Housing Institute and the Citizens’ Planning and Housing Association – to advocate for adoption of inclusionary zoning policies in suburban jurisdictions in the Baltimore region. Rapid housing price inflation has put many of these areas out of reach for all but the most affluent families. BRIDGE, IHI and CPHA fought unsuccessfully to pass inclusionary zoning legislation in Anne Arundel County this fall, but they plan to continue to advocate for development of affordable housing in Anne Arundel as well as other counties in the Baltimore region.
While this initiative is not part of the Thompson Consent Decree, it has the potential to benefit Thompson clients by opening up suburban areas that have so far been inaccessible to these families because there is simply no affordable housing in these areas.
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