There's no time like the Springtime to bring a fresh look to a home's 'curb appeal!'

Thanks to two grants totaling $1,825 from the Reynolds/Cristiano Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, MSH was able to complete improvement projects at two of our properties.

​​Caroline: Our Thrive House in Denton, MD offers two 2-bedroom units of quality, affordable, supportive housing for four young adults (18-25) with psychiatric disabilities who are aging out of the Foster Care systems of the 5 Mid-Shore counties. Thanks to these grant funds, we were able to have a contractor trim back the overhanging branches of a large tree and remove several very overgrown bushes, both of which were interfering with our ability to maintain the roof and gutters. MSH staff installed new, colorful and low-maintenance shrubbery that enhances the property’s fit in the neighborhood and increases tenants’ pride in their home.

Dorchester County: Our 3-unit apartment building in Cambridge, MD serves a total of four (4) tenants living with psychiatric disabilities and Extremely Low Income. Grant funds were used to complete three important projects. An electrician installed emergency lighting and new 10-year lithium battery smoke detectors in the building’s common hallway. MSH staff added a gravel parking pad in the rear of the building, which is often subject to muddy conditions. Finally, we installed new bushes and mulch along the front of the house. This property is located in an attentive and engaged community, and our efforts to improve the exterior are much appreciated by the tenants and their neighbors. 

​The grants awarded through the Reynolds/Cristiano Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation have elevated both of our properties’ exteriors to match the highest standard of quality in their communities. Being able to feel proud about where you live strengthens your investment in maintaining your home, which translates into a sense of stability that makes continued wellness and recovery possible. On behalf of our Board, staff and tenants, we sincerely thank the members of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation for their continued support of Main Street Housing!

For tenants living on less than $850/month in disability income, going to the  laundromat is prohibitively expensive! That’s why MSH supplies laundry machines in each of our quality, affordable housing units leased to individuals and families living with psychiatric disabilities. Thanks to a generous grant from The Rotary Club of Frederick Endowment Fund at The Community Foundation of Frederick County, we were able to install a new set of energy efficient laundry machines at one of our apartment units in downtown Frederick this Summer after the previous set reached the end of their lifespan.

If tin is the traditional gift for a ten-year wedding anniversary, what do you get a building that has been providing quality, affordable and independent housing for individuals and families living with psychiatric disabilities for over a decade?
 
How about a beautiful new external access stairway!
 
Thanks to generous support from The Community Foundation of Frederick County and Delaplaine Foundation, Main Street Housing (MSH) was able to make this significant improvement at our 3-unit apartment building in downtown Frederick this Spring. The original wooden staircase which provided access to the second floor apartment had been creaking toward the end of its lifespan over the past two years. Substantial grant funding provided by these two Frederick area foundations allowed MSH to work with local builder C.S. Rhoderick to create a more welcoming and comfortable entrance for both units. 

When the antiquated boilers at our Baltimore City apartment building began to break down this Winter, Main Street Housing braced for the possibility of ‘freezing conditions’ when it came to the other property improvement projects we had planned for the Spring. The emergency repairs made to the existing machines were not going to last, so replacing all four gas boilers had to be done quickly… and at significant expense.
 
Fortunately, we were tremendously lucky to receive assistance for the boiler replacement project from two wonderful sources. The Caroline Fredricka Holdship Charitable Trust, administered by PNC Charitable Trusts, presented MSH with a very generous grant of $10,000 toward the new boilers. Additional costs were covered by a $3,300 grant from The Herbert Bearman Foundation, which had also funded installation of some new appliances at the building earlier in the year.
 
Our Baltimore City apartment building provides four units of quality, affordable, independent housing for individuals and families living with psychiatric disabilities and Extremely Low Income. The new energy-efficient boilers will produce affordable, reliable heat for decades to come.

​Main Street Housing was recently awarded generous grant funding from the Ausherman Family Foundation toward their active property development initiative underway in Frederick, MD.
 
MSH is developing two properties in the City of Frederick as quality, affordable, independent rental housing opportunities that will serve Fredrick County individuals and families living with psychiatric disabilities and extremely low income. The $4,000 grant from the Ausherman Family Foundation will help support planned rehab and improvement projects at both properties.
 
“We are beyond thrilled and very grateful for the Ausherman Family Foundation’s support toward our initiative,” said MSH Executive Director Ken Wireman. “This grant makes it possible for us to complete upgrades at both of our new properties that will have great impact to their long-term quality and sustainable affordability.”

​Main Street Housing, Inc. was recently awarded generous grant funding from the United Way of Frederick County toward their property development initiative underway in Frederick, MD.
 
MSH is developing two properties in the City of Frederick as quality, affordable, independent rental housing opportunities that will serve Fredrick County individuals and families living with psychiatric disabilities and extremely low income.  The generous Live United grant ($1,125) from the United Way of Frederick County will help support planned rehab and improvement projects at both properties.
 
“This grant helps us make improvements to our new properties that ensure their long-term quality and affordability,” said MSH Executive Director Kenneth Wireman. “The individuals and families who become MSH tenants of these homes will pay rents that are truly affordable on disability income, while living in communities with access to the supports and opportunities you need to achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency.”

Main Street Housing was recently awarded generous grant funding from Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. toward their active property development initiative underway in Frederick, MD. 

MSH is developing two properties in the City of Frederick as quality, affordable, independent rental housing opportunities that will serve Fredrick County individuals and families living with psychiatric disabilities and extremely low income. The $2,500 grant from Delaplaine Foundation will help support planned rehab and improvement projects at two properties currently under development.
 
“We are excited and thankful for Delaplaine Foundation’s support as we develop quality, affordable housing opportunities for Frederick individuals and families living with psychiatric disabilities,” said MSH Executive Director Ken Wireman. “This grant will help us complete important renovation work at our two properties under development to ensure their long-term quality and sustainable affordability.”

​Main Street Housing, Inc. was recently awarded generous grant funding from the Jacob Lowenthal Residue Trust and the Remmel Foundation toward improvement projects at our Baltimore City properties! The generous grant funding totaling $8,400 awarded by these charitable trusts will help support planned renovation and improvement projects across these properties through Summer 2016.
 
“We are so grateful for this support, which has a real and immediate impact on quality of life for the individuals and families who are able to experience stable, high quality, affordable housing in desirable communities through Main Street Housing,” said MSH Executive Director Kenneth Wireman. “These grant funds make it possible for us to quickly complete important renovation work at our newly acquired apartment building and to make improvements across our four single family homes, all in Baltimore City.”

The Jacob Lowenthal Residue Trust and the Remmel Foundation funds are administered through the PNC Charitable Trust Grant Review Committee.

Main Street Housing, Inc. was recently awarded generous grant funding from The Community Foundation of Frederick County toward their active property development initiative underway in Frederick, MD.
 
MSH is developing two properties in the City of Frederick as quality, affordable, independent rental housing opportunities that will serve Fredrick County individuals and families living with psychiatric disabilities and extremely low income. MSH’s award-winning “Main Street Model” includes ongoing support for tenants toward achieving successful independent community living through supportive accountability practices such as coaching and regular inspections. The generous grant funding (FY 16 Strategic and Unrestricted Funds totaling $5,000) awarded by the Community Foundation will help support planned rehab and improvement projects at both properties.
 
“The impact of this support is REAL!,” said MSH Executive Director Kenneth Wireman. “The property improvements we can make thanks to the Community Foundation’s support ensure each home’s long-term sustainability, which means Frederick County individuals and families who become MSH tenants will be able to access truly affordable housing in robust neighborhoods, with real opportunities for community integration, for decades to come. We are so excited to be developing more affordable housing in Frederick, and these grants will allow us to move quickly in bringing our new properties online and ready for tenants.”