Tenant Tales
Stories of finding hope and home on Main Street

Kevin
Almost 6 years ago in Frederick, Kevin discovered a fresh start at Main Street Housing, leaving behind a living situation that was hindering his desire to grow more independent. This move marked a pivotal moment in his life, offering both freedom and a supportive community.
Before Main Street Housing, Kevin was in a living situation that was restrictive and made him feel like a child. “I felt like I had to escape,” he said when describing his previous housing “I was under supervision much of the time, and it was very hard to be independent like that.” He heard about Main Street Housing from a friend who had successfully gone through the application process. Excited for the opportunity to shape his life on his terms, Kevin applied, and a year later he moved into one of the Fredrick properties.
At first, adjusting to independent living was a bit difficult for Kevin, but the supportive staff at Main Street Housing made it possible. “They treat me like an equal,” he said when asked about how it is to work with staff, “If there’s a problem, they let you know … they try to help you improve.” The respect and support of the staff has created an environment where Kevin can embrace independence.
"It's empowering to know that I can be independent."
Main Street Housing not only provided Kevin with a stable home but also a place for his creativity to flourish while building strong community bonds. He is a talented writer who has several articles and poems published and is a prolific artist with his walls covered in drawings and paintings. The stability of a place to call home allows him to be more active in his community. Since moving in, Kevin regularly goes to the library to play Scrabble with two long-time friends and is now the leader of his virtual weekly journaling group which he has been attending for 16 years.
Since moving to Main Street Housing, Kevin's mental health has significantly improved. "It makes me feel stable. There's less stress, and I have a place where I feel safe and can deal with it—a place that can comfort my mental illness," he reflected. Kevin's story underscores the transformative effect of Main Street Housing, where individuals with psychiatric disabilities find support, independence, and a sense of community, ultimately improving their overall well-being.
P.S. If you ever get the chance to meet Kevin, be sure to ask about his sleight of hand magic, you will not be disappointed!
Interviewed November 2023
Almost 6 years ago in Frederick, Kevin discovered a fresh start at Main Street Housing, leaving behind a living situation that was hindering his desire to grow more independent. This move marked a pivotal moment in his life, offering both freedom and a supportive community.
Before Main Street Housing, Kevin was in a living situation that was restrictive and made him feel like a child. “I felt like I had to escape,” he said when describing his previous housing “I was under supervision much of the time, and it was very hard to be independent like that.” He heard about Main Street Housing from a friend who had successfully gone through the application process. Excited for the opportunity to shape his life on his terms, Kevin applied, and a year later he moved into one of the Fredrick properties.
At first, adjusting to independent living was a bit difficult for Kevin, but the supportive staff at Main Street Housing made it possible. “They treat me like an equal,” he said when asked about how it is to work with staff, “If there’s a problem, they let you know … they try to help you improve.” The respect and support of the staff has created an environment where Kevin can embrace independence.
"It's empowering to know that I can be independent."
Main Street Housing not only provided Kevin with a stable home but also a place for his creativity to flourish while building strong community bonds. He is a talented writer who has several articles and poems published and is a prolific artist with his walls covered in drawings and paintings. The stability of a place to call home allows him to be more active in his community. Since moving in, Kevin regularly goes to the library to play Scrabble with two long-time friends and is now the leader of his virtual weekly journaling group which he has been attending for 16 years.
Since moving to Main Street Housing, Kevin's mental health has significantly improved. "It makes me feel stable. There's less stress, and I have a place where I feel safe and can deal with it—a place that can comfort my mental illness," he reflected. Kevin's story underscores the transformative effect of Main Street Housing, where individuals with psychiatric disabilities find support, independence, and a sense of community, ultimately improving their overall well-being.
P.S. If you ever get the chance to meet Kevin, be sure to ask about his sleight of hand magic, you will not be disappointed!
Interviewed November 2023
Mark
It has been quite a long journey for Mark to Main Street Housing in his search for a place to call home. For 13 years, Mark was homeless and living in shelters and on the street with untreated mental health and addiction issues. When Mark found Earl's Place in Baltimore City, he knew it was a real chance to heal from his serious drug addiction. He was determined to "never go back to that life again."
The shelter provided temporary housing and treatment for Mark and in return, Mark put in the hard work of healing and getting clean. After 2 years, Mark's temporary housing had run out. He was desperately looking for a long term home that could permanently support his new life and that was affordable on his disability income. Mark found Main Street Housing fit all of those requirements (and more) and is currently renewing his lease for a third year with us!
"It feels good to have a key to a place I can come home to and just relax on the couch and have my own rules"
Mark enjoys the peaceful neighborhood and the other tenants in his building. He says, "We all look out for each other. No one is selling drugs or hanging out on a corner and you can always talk to someone about your problems." Mark says living in Main Street Housing gives him a better outlook on life because he can "pay his rent on time and still afford everything else he needs to live." He also enjoys cleaning his apartment and doing yard work. He says, "Keeping the house and yard clean gives me something to do and it's nice to have a place the grandchildren can come over to visit with me."
Mark continues to go to his programs and group meetings for people living with addictions a few hours each day, but feels that "if it wasn't for me having Main Street Housing I would be back on the streets. I feel really good being clean and having a stable place to live."
Interviewed October 2019
It has been quite a long journey for Mark to Main Street Housing in his search for a place to call home. For 13 years, Mark was homeless and living in shelters and on the street with untreated mental health and addiction issues. When Mark found Earl's Place in Baltimore City, he knew it was a real chance to heal from his serious drug addiction. He was determined to "never go back to that life again."
The shelter provided temporary housing and treatment for Mark and in return, Mark put in the hard work of healing and getting clean. After 2 years, Mark's temporary housing had run out. He was desperately looking for a long term home that could permanently support his new life and that was affordable on his disability income. Mark found Main Street Housing fit all of those requirements (and more) and is currently renewing his lease for a third year with us!
"It feels good to have a key to a place I can come home to and just relax on the couch and have my own rules"
Mark enjoys the peaceful neighborhood and the other tenants in his building. He says, "We all look out for each other. No one is selling drugs or hanging out on a corner and you can always talk to someone about your problems." Mark says living in Main Street Housing gives him a better outlook on life because he can "pay his rent on time and still afford everything else he needs to live." He also enjoys cleaning his apartment and doing yard work. He says, "Keeping the house and yard clean gives me something to do and it's nice to have a place the grandchildren can come over to visit with me."
Mark continues to go to his programs and group meetings for people living with addictions a few hours each day, but feels that "if it wasn't for me having Main Street Housing I would be back on the streets. I feel really good being clean and having a stable place to live."
Interviewed October 2019

Chereese
Whether in real life or in movies, we’ve all experienced the frustration of being cooped up in a car over the holidays, navigating traffic jams or traveling to visit far-off loved ones. Arriving at the destination brings a wave of relief as you get out, stretch your legs and head inside, looking forward to a good night’s sleep. For those of us experiencing homelessness, however, sometimes there is no “inside”- sometimes the only shelter, privacy, and bed available is in our cars.
Chereese, a first-grade teacher and single mom, worked full-time to pay her mortgage and support her son. When her depression became severe in 2009, however, she lost her job after too many absences. In time she lost her home, her son went to live with a family member, and she started spending sleepless nights curled up in her car in the parking lot of a church.
Searching for resources led her to On Our Own of Anne Arundel County, where she first heard about Main Street Housing back in December 2011. In a stroke of luck, she applied at the same time MSH was in the final stages of purchasing our second property in Annapolis - a cozy three-bedroom townhome – and in Spring 2012, Chereese became a MSH tenant.
“Wow! This is so much nicer than I thought it would be!” she remembers thinking as she walked into her new home.
That first night, “I took the air mattress out of my car, blew it up and put it in the bedroom, and then I slept for a long time,” she remembered. “Sleeping in a car – you don’t know if someone is going to come up and try to rob you or harm you. [Having a home] gives you security, a safe place, a sense of comfort.”
That sense of comfort extends to knowing she can be honest with MSH staff if she’s feeling unwell. “They really have a sense of understanding. The [monthly] inspections are good, because they keep you on your toes as far as keeping your house in good order and having a sense of accountability.”
Living ‘on Main Street’ has made it possible for Chereese to be reunited with her son and reconnect with her family. She loves her neighborhood – “it’s quiet, the neighbors are kind and helpful – they say hi to me and my son when we see each other.”
“You get so much and the rent is so low – it’s a major blessing.”
Whether in real life or in movies, we’ve all experienced the frustration of being cooped up in a car over the holidays, navigating traffic jams or traveling to visit far-off loved ones. Arriving at the destination brings a wave of relief as you get out, stretch your legs and head inside, looking forward to a good night’s sleep. For those of us experiencing homelessness, however, sometimes there is no “inside”- sometimes the only shelter, privacy, and bed available is in our cars.
Chereese, a first-grade teacher and single mom, worked full-time to pay her mortgage and support her son. When her depression became severe in 2009, however, she lost her job after too many absences. In time she lost her home, her son went to live with a family member, and she started spending sleepless nights curled up in her car in the parking lot of a church.
Searching for resources led her to On Our Own of Anne Arundel County, where she first heard about Main Street Housing back in December 2011. In a stroke of luck, she applied at the same time MSH was in the final stages of purchasing our second property in Annapolis - a cozy three-bedroom townhome – and in Spring 2012, Chereese became a MSH tenant.
“Wow! This is so much nicer than I thought it would be!” she remembers thinking as she walked into her new home.
That first night, “I took the air mattress out of my car, blew it up and put it in the bedroom, and then I slept for a long time,” she remembered. “Sleeping in a car – you don’t know if someone is going to come up and try to rob you or harm you. [Having a home] gives you security, a safe place, a sense of comfort.”
That sense of comfort extends to knowing she can be honest with MSH staff if she’s feeling unwell. “They really have a sense of understanding. The [monthly] inspections are good, because they keep you on your toes as far as keeping your house in good order and having a sense of accountability.”
Living ‘on Main Street’ has made it possible for Chereese to be reunited with her son and reconnect with her family. She loves her neighborhood – “it’s quiet, the neighbors are kind and helpful – they say hi to me and my son when we see each other.”
“You get so much and the rent is so low – it’s a major blessing.”

Jane
Ask Jane* what have been the brightest moments since she and her children moved ‘on Main Street’ four years ago, and she lights up.
“The holidays! Being able to put up a Christmas tree and hang decorations. There’s a warmth that you just feel – it’s a real home.”
That wasn’t always the case. Before moving into one of MSH’s single family homes in the Mid-Shore Region, this family was struggling to stay in a cramped duplex with ugly brown walls, pest issues and monthly costs that almost exhausted their limited household income of Social Security assistance and child support. Constantly scraping to keep up with the rent and fuel oil bills caused “so much stress and anxiety… on top of underlying [mental health] issues” that Jane didn’t know how she was going to make it. When she heard about Main Street Housing, it felt like “finally, someone was willing to give me a chance.”
Raising two kids – both of whom have disabilities – as a single mom isn’t easy, but stable, affordable housing makes all the difference. “Ever since I’ve been [at Main Street], even though there are ups and downs… it’s hard to describe it, but knowing that I have a home to go back to at the end of each day makes things less stressful internally. It’s something people take for granted, but if you don’t have basic needs met – like a safe place to live – you can’t move on to the next steps.”
This year has definitely brought a big new step for Jane. With her home life finally stable and kids doing well, she went back to school this September with the goal of becoming a nurse. The courses are demanding and juggling three school schedules hasn’t been easy, but Jane knows she has what it takes. “All these challenges have pushed me to move forward - to become the person I know I can be.”
Interviewed Winter 2017
*Name changed for privacy
Ask Jane* what have been the brightest moments since she and her children moved ‘on Main Street’ four years ago, and she lights up.
“The holidays! Being able to put up a Christmas tree and hang decorations. There’s a warmth that you just feel – it’s a real home.”
That wasn’t always the case. Before moving into one of MSH’s single family homes in the Mid-Shore Region, this family was struggling to stay in a cramped duplex with ugly brown walls, pest issues and monthly costs that almost exhausted their limited household income of Social Security assistance and child support. Constantly scraping to keep up with the rent and fuel oil bills caused “so much stress and anxiety… on top of underlying [mental health] issues” that Jane didn’t know how she was going to make it. When she heard about Main Street Housing, it felt like “finally, someone was willing to give me a chance.”
Raising two kids – both of whom have disabilities – as a single mom isn’t easy, but stable, affordable housing makes all the difference. “Ever since I’ve been [at Main Street], even though there are ups and downs… it’s hard to describe it, but knowing that I have a home to go back to at the end of each day makes things less stressful internally. It’s something people take for granted, but if you don’t have basic needs met – like a safe place to live – you can’t move on to the next steps.”
This year has definitely brought a big new step for Jane. With her home life finally stable and kids doing well, she went back to school this September with the goal of becoming a nurse. The courses are demanding and juggling three school schedules hasn’t been easy, but Jane knows she has what it takes. “All these challenges have pushed me to move forward - to become the person I know I can be.”
Interviewed Winter 2017
*Name changed for privacy

Donna
If you were to walk down the street where Donna lives, you’d probably receive a warm smile and a wave as she sweeps and mops the wooden porches of her building or mows the lawn. Her dedication and pride in keeping her home beautiful inside and out has never waned in the twelve years that she has lived there.
“You’ve got to keep it clean!” she explains with enthusiasm.
Keeping the yard nice might seem like a chore to some, but Donna sees it as something fun to do and appreciates how it has helped her build friendships with her neighbors. “They see me working hard [in the yard]. It’s a very good neighborhood here; the neighbors are friendly. We watch out for each other.”
Looking back, she remembers at first being nervous to move to a new town and to live in an apartment by herself. “It took a while – I had every light on [when I first moved in],” she said, but “after I got here, I liked it. It’s great! It’s more quiet here then where I was before. I’ve done better here. I’m not afraid. It’s a nice neighborhood, and the other tenants are good.”
When it comes to her cozy one-bedroom apartment in a converted Victorian home in Dorchester County, she’s very satisfied. “It’s a lot of space! I like to be by myself – this is all I need.” As a tenant who takes great care to keep her home in excellent condition, she also expects quality service from the landlord. “Main Street is a nice landlord and you want to find a landlord like this,” she said. “They talk to you like you should be talked to; they are the first landlord to be nice to me. I don’t have to worry about things getting fixed. They keep up the house – you call them and they fix it. Ms. Gloria [Bowen, Regional Property Manager] is wonderful. She gets her job done well and she’s a good person. That’s why I like to be here; she makes me happy.”
What has more than a decade of quality, affordable housing meant for Donna in her life? This time of year always brings a special moment of reflection. “I’ve been happy being home in my own place for Christmas,” she shared. “This is the longest place I’ve ever stayed. I’ve come a long way and got myself together. It’s good to live here [at Main Street].”
Interviewed Winter 2016
If you were to walk down the street where Donna lives, you’d probably receive a warm smile and a wave as she sweeps and mops the wooden porches of her building or mows the lawn. Her dedication and pride in keeping her home beautiful inside and out has never waned in the twelve years that she has lived there.
“You’ve got to keep it clean!” she explains with enthusiasm.
Keeping the yard nice might seem like a chore to some, but Donna sees it as something fun to do and appreciates how it has helped her build friendships with her neighbors. “They see me working hard [in the yard]. It’s a very good neighborhood here; the neighbors are friendly. We watch out for each other.”
Looking back, she remembers at first being nervous to move to a new town and to live in an apartment by herself. “It took a while – I had every light on [when I first moved in],” she said, but “after I got here, I liked it. It’s great! It’s more quiet here then where I was before. I’ve done better here. I’m not afraid. It’s a nice neighborhood, and the other tenants are good.”
When it comes to her cozy one-bedroom apartment in a converted Victorian home in Dorchester County, she’s very satisfied. “It’s a lot of space! I like to be by myself – this is all I need.” As a tenant who takes great care to keep her home in excellent condition, she also expects quality service from the landlord. “Main Street is a nice landlord and you want to find a landlord like this,” she said. “They talk to you like you should be talked to; they are the first landlord to be nice to me. I don’t have to worry about things getting fixed. They keep up the house – you call them and they fix it. Ms. Gloria [Bowen, Regional Property Manager] is wonderful. She gets her job done well and she’s a good person. That’s why I like to be here; she makes me happy.”
What has more than a decade of quality, affordable housing meant for Donna in her life? This time of year always brings a special moment of reflection. “I’ve been happy being home in my own place for Christmas,” she shared. “This is the longest place I’ve ever stayed. I’ve come a long way and got myself together. It’s good to live here [at Main Street].”
Interviewed Winter 2016

Wilber
That day when a person moves into a Main Street Housing property can mark the start of a whole new phase of successful independent living in the community. Wilber, a MSH Tenant in Howard County, knows exactly what it takes to make that change. “You have to be self-motivated to succeed… [to] do it yourself instead of having to depend on other people.”
Before moving to a MSH property almost 4 years ago, Wilber lived in a Residential Rehabilitation Program. Staff recommended him for independent supported housing, and he was accepted for tenancy with MSH in September 2011. He remembers what the transition was like. “It took some getting used to – to have that freedom to do what you want.” One of the big shifts in moving from a service-based housing environment to independent housing was that he started having more control over his finances. “In [RRP], they take your Social Security check [and manage your spending]. Now I have more leeway with how I spend my money.” He’s learned how to budget, explaining how each month “I make a list of everything I have to pay, and then a list of everything I want. If I have money left over [after paying bills], then I decide what I want to buy. For my birthday, I got a new cell phone.”
Moving to independent housing often means taking on new responsibilities, and that can be a challenge at first. Fortunately, MSH offers coaching and support to Tenants about how to meet the expectations of their Lease Agreement. “I took pointers from [MSH Staff] when I started failing inspections. It was a process to learn how to pass. Now, I plan ahead when I am going to clean [the house].”
The hard work is worth it for the freedoms that come with independent living in a neighborhood you like. Wilber, a self-proclaimed “country boy,” especially enjoys that he can choose to walk to the local shopping center instead of taking the bus. “I like the neighborhood [and] the people here. It’s peaceful and quiet.”
His advice for others who are interested in Main Street Housing? “Be prepared for a lot of different things, [and to be] responsible. Living in this housing… you can decide to become great.”
Interviewed Summer 2014
That day when a person moves into a Main Street Housing property can mark the start of a whole new phase of successful independent living in the community. Wilber, a MSH Tenant in Howard County, knows exactly what it takes to make that change. “You have to be self-motivated to succeed… [to] do it yourself instead of having to depend on other people.”
Before moving to a MSH property almost 4 years ago, Wilber lived in a Residential Rehabilitation Program. Staff recommended him for independent supported housing, and he was accepted for tenancy with MSH in September 2011. He remembers what the transition was like. “It took some getting used to – to have that freedom to do what you want.” One of the big shifts in moving from a service-based housing environment to independent housing was that he started having more control over his finances. “In [RRP], they take your Social Security check [and manage your spending]. Now I have more leeway with how I spend my money.” He’s learned how to budget, explaining how each month “I make a list of everything I have to pay, and then a list of everything I want. If I have money left over [after paying bills], then I decide what I want to buy. For my birthday, I got a new cell phone.”
Moving to independent housing often means taking on new responsibilities, and that can be a challenge at first. Fortunately, MSH offers coaching and support to Tenants about how to meet the expectations of their Lease Agreement. “I took pointers from [MSH Staff] when I started failing inspections. It was a process to learn how to pass. Now, I plan ahead when I am going to clean [the house].”
The hard work is worth it for the freedoms that come with independent living in a neighborhood you like. Wilber, a self-proclaimed “country boy,” especially enjoys that he can choose to walk to the local shopping center instead of taking the bus. “I like the neighborhood [and] the people here. It’s peaceful and quiet.”
His advice for others who are interested in Main Street Housing? “Be prepared for a lot of different things, [and to be] responsible. Living in this housing… you can decide to become great.”
Interviewed Summer 2014

Charles & Linda
In the late winter of 2004, Charles and Linda weren’t sure what they were going to do. They had just learned that the house they were living in was going to be sold by the owner. Finding a new place to call home is a challenging time for anyone, but Charles and Linda’s finances had also been drained by medical expenses. They learned about Main Street Housing, Inc. when they started working with someone to secure a Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher.
It turns out their timing was just right. The application process for Main Street Housing often takes many weeks, but somehow everything clicked for Linda and Charles this time. Within a week of learning about Main Street Housing, they were already visiting the available unit. “We said ‘Yes, we’ll take it!,” Charles remembers. The couple celebrated a joyous April Fool’s Day that year, as they moved in to their new home on April 1, 2004.
Almost a decade later, Charles and Linda still live in their house. Linda’s garden ornaments and plantings at the entrance create a warm welcome for visitors. With an affordable rent and working hard, they have been able to enjoy a quality of life previously unavailable to them. They own their own car and enjoy a steady social life with family and friends. When asked what they thought of MSH, Linda replied, ”Thank God for Main Street. I don’t know what would have happened to us.” Charles agreed, “Main Street Housing has been very nice to us. We enjoy Ken Wireman and his group. David [Roper, Regional Property Manager] is like a part of the family.” We certainly feel lucky to have such great Tenants living successfully as neighbors on Main Street for nearly 10 years!
Interviewed Winter 2014
May 2015 Update: Mr. Charles recently passed away after a long illness. During his struggle, Charles kept a positive outlook on life. His kindness and compassion knew little bounds. Charles will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife, Linda, and his son, Charles, Jr. Charles was one of the original tenants of Main Street Housing and made MSH his home for more than 11 years.
In the late winter of 2004, Charles and Linda weren’t sure what they were going to do. They had just learned that the house they were living in was going to be sold by the owner. Finding a new place to call home is a challenging time for anyone, but Charles and Linda’s finances had also been drained by medical expenses. They learned about Main Street Housing, Inc. when they started working with someone to secure a Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher.
It turns out their timing was just right. The application process for Main Street Housing often takes many weeks, but somehow everything clicked for Linda and Charles this time. Within a week of learning about Main Street Housing, they were already visiting the available unit. “We said ‘Yes, we’ll take it!,” Charles remembers. The couple celebrated a joyous April Fool’s Day that year, as they moved in to their new home on April 1, 2004.
Almost a decade later, Charles and Linda still live in their house. Linda’s garden ornaments and plantings at the entrance create a warm welcome for visitors. With an affordable rent and working hard, they have been able to enjoy a quality of life previously unavailable to them. They own their own car and enjoy a steady social life with family and friends. When asked what they thought of MSH, Linda replied, ”Thank God for Main Street. I don’t know what would have happened to us.” Charles agreed, “Main Street Housing has been very nice to us. We enjoy Ken Wireman and his group. David [Roper, Regional Property Manager] is like a part of the family.” We certainly feel lucky to have such great Tenants living successfully as neighbors on Main Street for nearly 10 years!
Interviewed Winter 2014
May 2015 Update: Mr. Charles recently passed away after a long illness. During his struggle, Charles kept a positive outlook on life. His kindness and compassion knew little bounds. Charles will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife, Linda, and his son, Charles, Jr. Charles was one of the original tenants of Main Street Housing and made MSH his home for more than 11 years.