Interfaith Housing Alliance wants to help families own homes in Greencastle area

inte8821 • March 7, 2012

Interfaith Housing Alliance wants to help families own homes in Greencastle area

The nonprofit’s goal is to improve quality of life

Homes similar to this one could soon be built in Nottingham Meadows in Antrim Township by Interfaith Housing Alliance. The homes are for families interested in owning a home they can afford.

By Rachel Bryson
The Record Herald
Posted Oct 21, 2011 @ 01:08 PM

Greencastle, Pa. — Making home ownership a little more affordable is one goal of Interfaith Housing Alliance, and the group wants to build 18 homes in Antrim Township’s Nottingham Meadows.

The alliance helps families looking to own a home find or build one that is within their budget and the time they can dedicate to its upkeep.

The alliance has partnered with Franklin County to submit a Home Investment Partnership Program Community Housing and Development Organization application for $100,000 to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

Franklin County Commissioners will hear comments on the proposed application at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, in their office. Once all comments have been heard, commissioners will consider adopting the proposal.

Affordable living

Living within your means is something that everyone should strive for, and IHA works with potential homeowners to make owning a home within their means a reality. The nonprofit alliance works to create and preserve quality affordable housing to meet needs and improve the quality of life for seniors, working families and others, according to its website.

The local area has a strong work force, but housing prices far exceed what many can afford, IHA President Patricia Motter said.

“We come in and help out by building homes they (residents) can afford,” Motter said.

The alliance has built several communities in south-central Pennsylvania, and this is its second project in Antrim Township. The first project, which is still under way, is 14 duplexes in Rolling Hills, located at Lindale Avenue and Route 16. Dan Ryan Builders and Sandy Spring Bank have partnered with IHA for the Rolling Hills development.

Those interested in an IHA home are evaluated on their income level, number of members in the family and if they have good credit, which allows IHA to determine the type and size of home they can afford.

“We really are trying to get them into homes they can afford,” Motter said.

In addition to providing affordable housing and some financing options, IHA also stays with the new homeowners and helps them understand all that goes into owning a home.

“We can sort out which program meets their needs,” Motter said.

Nottingham Meadows

The homes planned for Nottingham Meadows are all single-family homes and will range in style based on need and income level.

“We do wait until we have a family lined up to build the homes,” Motter added.

The community will not see all 18 homes pop up overnight, though.
“We would like to have six go up at a time,” Motter said.

The alliance has six home sites ready to go and needs families who are interested in their program.

The alliance has partnered with many organizations over the years, including builders and other businesses, and is hoping to work with Franklin County to receive $100,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development toward the project.

“We’re very appreciative to Franklin County for their support,” Motter said.
About IHA

IHA has been providing affordable housing and rental options for 21 years in Maryland and southern Pennsylvania.

The group has created more than 1,100 housing units and invested more than $150 million in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Anyone interested in the new homes or looking for more information on IHA should call Sheri Huber at (301) 662-4225.

On the Net

www.interfaithhousing.org
Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.cm/interfaithhousing
Copyright 2011 Waynesboro Record Herald. Some rights reserved

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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