A recent story from the City of Baltimore highlights an important truth: the health of a city begins at home. Through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), critical investments are being made to ensure Baltimore residents can live safely, comfortably, and with dignity.
Read the original article from the City of Baltimore: https://www.baltimorecity.gov/morp/news/arpa-insight-stories-the-health-of-a-city-begins-at-home-neighborhood-housing-services-nhs
NHS Baltimore’s Role in Preserving Homeownership
During and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, many Baltimore homeowners faced serious housing challenges such as aging roofs, unsafe stairways, outdated electrical systems, and inaccessible spaces that made daily living difficult.
For seniors and residents with disabilities, these issues weren’t just inconvenient, they were safety risks that threatened their ability to remain in their homes.
Through ARPA funding, Baltimore City invested directly in solutions that help residents stay safely housed and avoid displacement.
NHS Baltimore’s Role in Preserving Homeownership
Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Baltimore received $2.8 million in ARPA funding to support housing stabilization efforts in Greater Rosemont Mondawmin.
This funding has allowed NHS to:
- Address critical health and safety repairs for homeowners
- Stabilize vacant and disinvested properties
- Support long-term housing stability for low- to moderate-income residents
As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), NHS integrates home repair into a broader strategy. Connecting housing stability with financial empowerment and long-term wealth building.
Real Impact Across Baltimore
The results of this investment are already being felt:
- 99 homeowners received critical repairs
- 68 of those homeowners were age 65 or older
- 70 homeowners received safety modifications through a partnership with Meals on Wheels
These repairs are more than improvements, they are interventions that allow residents to remain safely in their homes and communities.
As Shelby Gash, Director of Resource Development at NHS Baltimore, shared in the article:
“ARPA funding allowed us to respond quickly and at scale to urgent repair needs that many homeowners couldn’t afford to address on their own.”
Why This Work Matters
Baltimore’s housing challenges are deeply rooted. Decades of disinvestment and historic practices like redlining have created long-standing disparities in housing quality, access, and wealth.
Efforts like ARPA-funded home repairs help address these gaps by:
- Preserving legacy homeownership
- Preventing vacancy and neighborhood decline
- Supporting aging residents in place
- Protecting generational wealth
When homeowners can stay in safe, stable housing, entire communities benefit.
Continuing the Work
While ARPA funding has made a significant impact, the need continues to exceed available resources. NHS Baltimore remains committed to expanding this work through new partnerships and funding opportunities; ensuring more residents can access the support they need.
Take the Next Step
If you’re a homeowner in need of repairs or looking to explore your options: