Homeownership 101 in patnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

inte8821 • March 25, 2014

IHA is pleased to announce the partnership between IHA and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in hosting “ Homeownership 101” on Sunday, March 30th at the C. Burr Artz Library community room on Patrick St. in downtown Frederick. The Deltas are providing lunch too!

See flyer for registration information. Attendees must register to attend.

Please consider sharing this with those in your circle who might benefit: employees, co-workers, clients, etc. We are hoping that working families and individuals can attend, given that the event is on a weekend. We can host up to 100 attendees.

Buying a home can be so confusing and IHA hopes to demystify the process in this workshop.

In Homeownership 101, potential homebuyers will learn the roles and responsibilities for themselves and the professionals they will encounter along the way. A real estate agent will walk through the process and help explain how an agent and a buyer work together to search for a home and make an offer. A mortgage broker will explain the loan application process and different programs available to the first time buyer. Finally a title insurance agent will introduce the vocabulary used in the closing process and the documents necessary for purchasing a home.

In addition IHA staff will introduce the Purchase-Repair Homeownership Program which is available in conjunction with a grant awarded by the USDA. This gives us the opportunity to pre-qualify low income buyers and help them through the purchase process of an already existing home. The low interest USDA loan includes a budget for repairs and has no down payment. Homes are available for purchase in Frederick, Carroll and Washington Counties.

Speakers for this series include Mary Ford Nail from Real Estate Teams LLC, Vicky Weldon with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Dan Martz of United Title Service LLC. The workshop is offered free of charge.

2025 Out of Reach

By Jodie Ostoich • September 8, 2025
Maryland and Frederick County: A Growing Housing Affordability Crisis Each year around this time, I share data that highlights the growing challenge of housing affordability in Maryland—and this year is no exception. Maryland now ranks as the 8th most expensive state in terms of wages needed to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. A worker must earn $39.15 per hour —or nearly $81,450 annually —just to meet that threshold. Unfortunately, the situation in Frederick County is even more severe. Alongside Calvert and Charles counties, Frederick tops the list, requiring a staggering $44.50 per hour —equivalent to $92,560 annually —to afford a two-bedroom apartment.  Meanwhile, the average renter in Frederick earns just $18.25 per hour , which translates to an affordable rent of only $949 per month —far below what the market demands. This stark disparity is exactly why the mission of Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is so critical. We are committed to addressing these inequities and advocating for solutions that make safe, stable housing accessible to all. Below, you’ll find the 2025 data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition , detailing housing affordability across Maryland and its counties.

Fall Newsletter Grant Updates

By Rachel Gardner • September 8, 2025
Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is proud to announce two funding awards received this quarter from community partners. In July 2025, IHA received a $3,500 grant from The Croteau Family Charitable Gift Fund, which is a donor-advised fund (DAF) held at T. Rowe Price Charitable. IHA also received a $5,000 grant from The Natelli Communities Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These unrestricted funds will support all of IHA’s endeavors in strengthening the many communities we serve.

Build Confidence With Your Finances at Financial Freedom Bootcamp

By Lacy Allen • September 8, 2025
Money can sometimes feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to! This October, Interfaith Housing Alliance is offering our next Financial Freedom Bootcamp, a free, two-part workshop designed to help you take positive steps toward financial stability and confidence.  The bootcamp kicks off with an in-person workshop on October 15th from 5:30–7:00pm, where participants will explore the building blocks of financial health. You’ll learn how to create a budget that actually works for your lifestyle, discover the best practices for saving, and walk away with strategies for reducing debt in realistic and manageable ways. After the first session, participants are invited to take part in an optional virtual Credit Café, a supportive space to dive deeper into questions about credit and money management. This extra resource helps reinforce what you’ve learned and gives you the chance to connect with others working toward similar goals. The second workshop will be held virtually on October 29th from 5:30–7:00pm, making it convenient to join from home. This session will focus on building confidence when communicating with creditors, understanding your credit, and setting SMART goals to stay on track for the future. Together, these two sessions provide practical, easy-to-use tools to support your financial journey. No matter where you are starting from—whether you’re new to budgeting, trying to rebuild your credit, or just looking for ways to feel more in control—Financial Freedom Bootcamp is a welcoming and encouraging place to begin. At a Glance What : Financial Freedom Bootcamp – free, two-part workshop series When: October 15th (in-person) & October 29th (virtual), both 5:30–7:00pm Topics: Budgeting, saving, debt reduction, credit confidence, SMART goal setting Extras: Optional virtual Credit Café between sessions Register: Contact Lacy Allen at lames@interfaithhousing.org or 301-662-4425 ext. 1203
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