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Health Health Notes

Habitat Choptank Receives $450,000 Funding for Camper Street Neighborhood Project

April 3, 2024 by Habitat for Humanity

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Habitat for Humanity Choptank is one of 26 organizations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland to receive direct federal resources for projects as a result of efforts by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin. 

On March 14, 2024, President Biden signed into law $32.5 million dollars in federal funding for the projects put forth by these organizations that Senator Van Hollen and Senator Cardin then championed at a federal level to benefit Shore residents in a variety of areas, including community development, historical and cultural initiatives, infrastructure, public safety, environment and education, and workforce development. Overall, the Senators included over $200 million in federal dollars directly for Maryland through the fiscal year 2024 government funding bills. “Access to affordable housing is essential to any family’s economic security. That’s why we worked to support Habitat for Humanity Choptank’s ongoing efforts to expand available housing options in this community – providing more Eastern Shore families with a brighter future,” said Senator Van Hollen.

As a result of those efforts, Habitat Choptank will receive an allocation of $450,000 to support a new neighborhood of 12 single-family homes on Camper Street in Cambridge, providing safe, affordable, and energy-efficient housing opportunities for local community members. This future funding will be allocated to support infrastructure costs for the new neighborhood, which include roads, water and sewer, storm water management, sidewalks and lighting. 

As a foundational component, safe, affordable and secure housing provides more than just shelter, but an opportunity to improve neighborhood stability, increase property values, and create opportunities for generational enrichment and growth for families.  “Safe, quality, affordable housing has a positive impact on so many other aspects of family and community health”, shared Chief Executive Officer JoAnn Hansen. “Time and time again, we’ve seen children do better in school, the health of seniors improve, and local businesses benefit from retaining employees who have access to safe, affordable and quality housing.”  

The efforts by Senators Van Hollen and Cardin to bring these resources to Maryland are a clear expression of their desire to support locally driven priorities and opportunities throughout the Eastern Shore. “Affordable housing has become unattainable for many middle and low-income families in Maryland and across the country. Building more affordable housing is critical in solving our housing crisis. Habitat for Humanity Choptank is helping to address our housing needs and putting homeownership within reach for so many Marylanders. With funding for this community-led project, fewer Cambridge families will face housing insecurity and more will have a place to call home,” said Senator Cardin. 

To learn more about Habitat Choptank and our homeownership and financial counseling programs, visit our website at habitatchoptank.org or call the office at 410-476-3204.

The above neighborhood rendering of the planned Camper Street neighborhood was prepared by Aaron Hansen, a student in the University of Maryland College Park’s Architecture, Planning & Preservation program.

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Filed Under: Health Notes

$750,000 Grant from FHL Bank Atlanta Awarded to Habitat Choptank

February 16, 2023 by Habitat for Humanity

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Habitat Choptank is one of 14 affordable housing initiatives in seven states that was awarded funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) in 2022, and it’s the only project funded in Maryland. The grant is through FHLBank Atlanta’s Affordable Housing Program and will support Habitat Choptank’s ambitious project on Wells Street in Cambridge by supporting a portion of the costs associated with constructing eight single-family affordable homes for ownership. BayVanguard Bank, a local bank and member of FHLBank Atlanta partnered with Habitat Choptank, making it possible for the grant application to move forward and is also providing a construction bridge loan to Habitat Choptank to assist in financing the construction costs.  Grant funding provided by FHLBank Atlanta will be paid out over the next two years as these new affordable homes are sold.

Seven of the eight homes will be constructed with two stories and will include 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a first-floor bedroom and other features that would enable homeowners to successfully remain in their homes as they age.  Habitat Choptank homes are targeted toward income qualifying buyers earning between 35 and 65% of the Area Median Income in Dorchester or Talbot Counties and are built to be energy efficient and to last.  Features of these homes include:  concrete and brick front porch and steps; GAF architectural shingles (50-year transferrable warranty); prefinished Hardie plank siding (extended color & material warranties); laminate hardwood flooring typically (20-year warranty); ceramic tile floors in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room (30-year lifespan); fiberglass doors and vinyl windows; energy star heat pump water heater reduces utility bills; improved insulation and air sealing reduces utility bills and improves comfort; and, conditioned crawlspace controls temperature & humidity for improved energy efficiency.

The 2019 Housing and Market Analysis prepared as part of the Cambridge Neighborhood Revitalization plan looked at the economic challenges driven by the lack of safe, affordable housing stock. This plan revealed that “Nearly one out of every four Cambridge households (24%) was severely housing cost burdened in 2017, paying more than 50% of their income on housing costs. More broadly, approximately 46% of all Cambridge households are considered cost burdened paying in excess of 30% of their income on housing expenses. Preservation of an affordable rental housing stock, and homeownership opportunities for the entire income spectrum will be important as upward pressure on prices is likely to continue in Cambridge.”

Habitat for Humanity Choptank plays a vital role in a community such as Cambridge, empowering low-income households to improve their housing conditions so that their dreams for the future, a future for themselves and their families, can become a reality. The organization’s core values help to make that happen:  sweat equity, financial education, and counseling are keys to their success along with partnering with local and state government, community foundations, nonprofit organizations, and individual members from the community who lend their time, talent, and support to work alongside local families as they strive to achieve homeownership or undertake emergency and necessary repairs on their homes.

The Habitat model has been working for 30 years with the organization having a foreclosure rating of less than 2% after building 102 homes.  All this work drives important social and economic outcomes as stable housing has a tremendous impact on family and community health, improved education outcomes for children and increased financial stability and opportunity. In addition to these benefits, building and repairing homes also stimulates other sectors of the economy – driving additional spending and creating more local jobs.

If you are interested in owning your own home on Wells Street in Cambridge, visit habitatchoptank.org to learn more about Habitat Choptank’s homeownership program and to complete the inquiry form.

Wells Street in Cambridge will soon be a thriving neighborhood of safe, affordable, and energy-efficient homes.

About Habitat Choptank

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made homeownership possible for 102 families and has completed critical health and safety repairs in partnership with over 300 qualifying homeowners in Dorchester and Talbot Counties. By building and rehabbing homes, Habitat Choptank helps families achieve better health, financial freedom, independence, stability, and security. Visit habitatchoptank.org to volunteer or apply for homeownership or home repair.

About Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta

FHLBank Atlanta offers competitively-priced financing, community development grants, and other banking services to help member financial institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic development credit to neighborhoods and communities. The Bank is a cooperative whose members are commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions, community development financial institutions, and insurance companies located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. FHLBank Atlanta is one of 11 district banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Since 1990, the FHLBanks have awarded approximately $7.3 billion in Affordable Housing Program funds, assisting more than one million households. For more information, visit fhlbatl.com.

About BayVanguard Bank

BayVanguard Bank is a Maryland headquartered, full-service, community bank founded in 1873.  BayVanguard provides the full range of banking products and services with a flexible and responsive delivery.  For more information, visit www.BayVanguard.com.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Notes Tagged With: Habitat Choptank, Health, local news

Habitat Choptank’s 100th House Dedicated in Cambridge

December 8, 2022 by Habitat for Humanity

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Keyondra smiles and holds the keys to her new home during her home dedication. Photo by George Dappert, Habitat Choptank Board Treasurer.

For a while, Cambridge resident Keyondra had harbored the idea of becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner in the back of her mind. But about 8 months ago, after seeing a Facebook story about another local woman who had taken the plunge, she began taking the first steps on a similar journey.

Turning the dream into reality took a dedicated effort involving nearly a year attending educational meetings, earning sweat equity, and staying on a sound financial course, all while working full time. Throughout, family members pitched in with practical and moral support.

Keyondra’s Habitat coach, Jennifer Grier, along with the organization’s other staff members and cadre of construction volunteers, offered invaluable measures of dedication and know-how.

On Saturday, November 12 at 9 a.m., as the cordoned off 400 block of Pine Street filled with joyous well wishes, Keyondra officially became the organization’s 100th soon to be homeowner in its 30 year history of helping Dorchester and Talbot counties build homes, community, and hope.

Under sparkling sunshine following Friday’s stormy weather, Keyondra and her smiling family were joined by Mayor Steve Rideout, 3rd Ward Commissioner Jameson Harrington, and Habitat Choptank staff representatives including Board Vice President Jodi Cavanaugh, Client Services Manager Pat Ingram, Construction Supervisor Scott Baynard, and Executive Director JoAnn Hansen.

Reverend Jerome E. Tilghman, Sr. of Waugh Chapel and St. Luke United Methodist Church offered the ceremony’s invocation, the closing benediction, a Prayer of Dedication and presented Keyondra with a bible.

He quoted from Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord Builds a House, the Builders Labor in Vain,” explaining it as a metaphoric reference for God’s direct involvement in our lives. Tilghman also commended Habitat for “this ministry, which has so graciously given to this community.”

He also noted that the Hebrew word for home appears nearly 1,000 times in the Bible.

“The word represents, not only a primary dwelling place, but also one’s sense of self identity, security, and place in the world.”

Tilghman fondly recalled the serendipitous circumstance of having personal childhood memories associated with the lot where Keyondra’s new home arose.

“When I was in high school, my classmate Terry Matthews lived with his family, right here on this spot, and we would come here almost every day after school, heading upstairs to Terry’s bedroom until his brother Butch ran us all out of the house,” he laughed.

Mary Helen Gillen, Pickering Creek Director of Education, gifted Keyondra with an oak tree sapling, explaining that it represented longevity while also providing cooling shade and enduring beauty.  Gillen noted Pickering Creek’s pride in its ongoing partnership with Habitat, helping new homeowners opt for Bay friendly landscaping.

Julia Barker, past president of the women’s group  Partners in Giving, and fellow member Julie Fox, also a longtime Habitat volunteer and partner coach, gifted Keyondra with a large welcome basket laden with housewarming supplies, and Jeff Cornwall, Cambridge Rotary Club President, donated a stocked toolbox to the new homeowner.

Before presenting her with keys and scissors to officially snip open the sky blue ribbon ornamenting the front door, Construction Supervisor Baynard gave Keyondra a $100 gift certificate to Habitat’s ReStore located on Commerce Drive in Easton.

In her closing remarks, Hansen addressed Habitat’s fulfilling 30 year mission of making home ownership a reality, thanks to working in partnership with God and all people.

Congratulating Keyondra, she said, “The fact is, that the woman on my left is dedicated, has persevered, and overcome, to soon become the owner of this home,” her words meeting with cheers and applause from the crowd.

Hansen added that it’s God who provides the home’s foundation.  “I promise you he will meet you everywhere in this house, wherever you are, even when the storms come, and they will come, but if you stand on that foundation, and that of your family and community, God will support you and lift you up, always.”

Rev. Tilghman echoed those sentiments in his benediction.

“Just as God builds his Kingdom, one person at a time, we build this community one home at a time.”

For more information, or to volunteer, visit www.habitatchoptank.org.

About Habitat Choptank

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made homeownership possible for 100 families and has completed critical health and safety repairs in partnership with over 300 qualifying homeowners in Dorchester and Talbot Counties. By building and rehabbing homes, Habitat Choptank helps families achieve better health, financial freedom, independence, stability, and security. Visit habitatchoptank.org to volunteer or apply for homeownership or home repair.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Eco Notes Tagged With: Ecosystem, Habitat Choptank, local news

Habitat Choptank Seeking AmeriCorps Volunteers

December 10, 2021 by Habitat for Humanity

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Habitat for Humanity Choptank is looking for two energetic and service-oriented individuals to fill their AmeriCorps positions. If you’re interested in personal and professional growth, learning new skills, and community service opportunities, Habitat Choptank and AmeriCorps might be for you.

The Habitat Choptank AmeriCorps positions are full-time, involving 40 hours per week for 10 ½ months. These roles offer a great opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of others while investing in your future and building knowledge, skills, and connections. These positions will focus on the home repair, homeowner services, home purchases, and homebuyer aspects of Habitat Choptank.

These positions will build and maintain the pipeline of homeowner and homebuyer families by leading efforts to recruit and educate qualified families for both homeownership and home repair opportunities. These roles involve recruiting homeowner and homebuyer family applicants and serving as their point of contact as they go through the application process. Together with a family selection committee, you will help select homeowner and homebuyer families for a variety of housing projects, including new home construction, repair or rehab of existing homes, and weatherization projects.

Mimi Sanford began her year of service with Habitat Choptank and AmeriCorps after graduating from Brown University in spring 2020. She spends her time with Neighborhood Revitalization Outreach and the Repair Program, working both in the affiliate office and on the repair crew’s job sites. “I am able to participate in many different projects and do a wide variety of work,” says Sanford. “I have learned how to fix a kitchen sink, how to build a new community resource from the ground up, and how to keep children engaged during community events so we can talk to their parents about what Habitat has to offer. While some of these experiences were unexpected—like crawling under a house, for example, or letting little girls braid my hair while their parents learned about sustainable homeownership practices—I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Habitat Choptank.”

Sanford plans to continue her education after her year of service. She is in the process of applying to the University of Maryland’s Master of Community Planning program. While 40% of Habitat for Humanity/AmeriCorps volunteers go on to work with a Habitat affiliate in some capacity after their year of service, others attend graduate school, join the workforce, or seek other service opportunities.

In addition to learning new skills and gaining valuable experience, the AmeriCorps program offers several benefits, including a living allowance of $16,300 for approximately 10 ½ months of service, the Segal Education Award of $6,345 upon successful completion of service, health care benefits and enrollment in the Employee Assistance Plan, personal and medical leave, possible forbearance or deferment of qualified student loans, childcare benefits if applicable, and worker’s compensation insurance.

Applicants must be a US citizen or a national or lawful permanent resident, be 18 or older, and have a high school diploma or GED. For more information, call 410-476-3204, email [email protected], or visit www.HabitatChoptank.org. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to [email protected].

About Habitat Choptank

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made home ownership possible for 94 families and has completed critical health and safety repairs in partnership with over 263 qualifying homeowners. At present, seven homes are under construction in Dorchester and Talbot Counties. Income qualifying homebuyers are offered access to affordable mortgage financing in order to purchase a new construction or rehabbed home from the nonprofit’s project inventory.  After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume the full responsibilities of homeownership including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying their mortgage over 30 to 33 years. Habitat accepts applications for its homeownership and repair programs throughout the year.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Notes Tagged With: Habitat Choptank, Health, local news

Habitat for Humanity Choptank Hosts Workshop for Older Adults

October 11, 2019 by Habitat for Humanity

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Habitat for Humanity Choptank will host their 3rd home maintenance workshop for older adults on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 – this will be the first workshop held in Talbot County. This event offers a fun, informative opportunity for older adults and family members who want to live in their home as they age. Topics include hands on tips for preventative home maintenance, when to call in a professional, how to find resources to help with home repair costs, and how to find good, reliable help when you need it. This free event will take place at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 100 Peachblossom Road in Easton; the doors will open at 5:30 PM with the program starting at 6:00 PM.

The AARP Foundation’s “Here to Stay: Home Upkeep for All” workshop is a part of Habitat for Humanity’s national Aging in Place program. Habitat Choptank has been invested in this program since 2015 and is one of only three Habitat affiliates nationwide chosen to implement and test the AARP Foundation’s pilot “Here to Stay” program. The aim of this program is to improve quality of life for older Americans through home repair and modifications that foster a safe, livable and lasting environment to age in their home and community – to build strength, stability and self-reliance.

Photo by Jill Jasuta

In Habitat Choptank’s two county service area, housing repair is a priority for local government and residents. Residents who have lived in homes for decades without any issues find themselves struggling with steps, staircases and other exterior repairs which make senior residents especially vulnerable. This workshop aims to offer important information about necessary resources that help keep people safe, healthy and secure, and allow them to age in place.

RSVP to the “Here to Stay: Home Upkeep for All” workshop on October 29th in Easton at 410-476-3204 or [email protected]. Event sponsored by Habitat for Humanity Choptank and the AARP Foundation.

For more information about this initiative, to make a donation that benefits our local community, or volunteer on home repair projects, call 410-476-3204 or visit www.HabitatChoptank.org.

About Habitat Choptank

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made home ownership possible for 82 families and has completed critical health and safety repairs in partnership with over 179 qualifying homeowners. At present, 12 homes are under construction in Dorchester and Talbot Counties. Income qualifying homebuyers are offered access to affordable mortgage financing in order to purchase a new construction or rehabbed home from the nonprofit’s project inventory.  After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume the full responsibilities of homeownership including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying their mortgage over 30 to 33 years. Habitat accepts applications for its homeownership and repair programs throughout the year. For more information, to make a donation that benefits our local community, or volunteer, call 410-476-3204 or visit www.HabitatChoptank.org.

About AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation works to end senior poverty by helping vulnerable older adults build economic opportunity and social connectedness. As AARP’s charitable affiliate, we serve AARP members and nonmembers alike. Bolstered by vigorous legal advocacy, we spark bold, innovative solutions that foster resilience, strengthen communities and restore hope.  AARP Foundation. For a future without senior poverty.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Eco Notes, Portal Notes

Habitat Choptank Plans All Women Built House

June 25, 2014 by Habitat for Humanity

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Habitat for Humanity Choptank is challenging women from around the community to raise a hammer to help create safe and affordable housing in partnership with a local working family. The nonprofit home builder is announcing plans for its next Women Build house, with the goal of completing a single family home that is built and funded entirely by women. The start of construction is schedule for 2015 with a groundbreaking to take place during National Women Build Week in May.

To help build momentum for this project, Habitat Choptank will be hosting special build days and fundraising events over the next year like those held during the most recent National Women Build Week. Over the course of that week, women volunteers of all ages and backgrounds came out to help with final landscaping on a single family home at 707 Wright Street in Cambridge which has since been sold. Volunteers also worked at 716 Rigby Avenue, a house Habitat has acquired to renovate. The future buyer for that home was among the volunteers there helping to install a new fence around the yard, power wash the siding, and remove all the finishes from the interior of the home. The week also included an evening garden party at the home of Susan Granville as an opportunity to bring together women supporters.

Habitat Choptank will be recruiting women volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to join a volunteer crew in support of the next Women Build home. No prior experience in construction is required. Groundbreaking is planned for May 2015. To build momentum for the project, Habitat will be hosting special women build work days like those recently held during National Women Build Week. Here, a Friday afternoon work crew pauses during renovation of a house at 716 Rigby Avenue in Cambridge. Photo By: Ted Mueller

Habitat Choptank will be recruiting women volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to join a volunteer crew in support of the next Women Build home. No prior experience in construction is required. Groundbreaking is planned for May 2015. To build momentum for the project, Habitat will be hosting special women build work days like those recently held during National Women Build Week. Here, a Friday afternoon work crew pauses during renovation of a house at 716 Rigby Avenue in Cambridge.
Photo By: Ted Mueller

Women Build is Habitat for Humanity’s initiative to empower and engage women who want to learn construction skills and build homes and impact communities. This program brings together women from all walks of life to address the housing crisis facing millions of women and children worldwide. No experience is necessary and there are many ways to participate in addition to swinging a hammer on the jobsite.

The Women Build project is already gaining momentum. Habitat Choptank has acquired a lot at 130 Hammond Street in Easton and seed funds have been raised toward the total goal of $96,000 to cover the costs of permitting, building materials, and utility connections.

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has empowered 63 low-income families from Talbot and Dorchester counties to build a better future for themselves through home ownership. Each family contributed 300-400 hours of “sweat equity” in the building of those houses and purchased their home with a 20 to 30-year no interest Habitat mortgage. Currently, five future buyers are working through Habitat’s multi-step partnership program toward the goal of becoming successful home owners. For information about home ownership, to volunteer with Habitat Choptank or to make a donation, visit www.habitatchoptank.org or call 410-476-3204

Plans for Habitat Choptank’s next Women Build house were announced at a recent garden party at the home of Susan Granville. Supporters at the event included (left to right) Joyce Doehler, Laurie Roysdon, Susan Granville, and Rooney Stencil. Photo By: Jill Jasuta

Plans for Habitat Choptank’s next Women Build house were announced at a recent garden party at the home of Susan Granville. Supporters at the event included (left to right) Joyce Doehler, Laurie Roysdon, Susan Granville, and Rooney Stencil.
Photo By: Jill Jasuta

 

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Filed Under: 5 News Notes

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