Judith Found the Home She’s Been Dreaming About!

inte8821 • June 21, 2013

Through IHA’s Purchase-Repair Homeownership Program, Judith was able to find the home of her dreams with a monthly mortgage payment that is lower than what she was paying in rent!

Judith’s new cottage-style home has four bedrooms, one of which will become her painting studio. The home, located just north of Thurmont in Frederick County, has a large yard filled with mature fruit-bearing, flower-bearing, and evergreen trees, as well as lovely foundation plants that are well established. Despite its rural location (a requirement to obtain the USDA Rural Development low interest, no down payment mortgage) the home is just a mile or two from Route 15, providing an easy commute to her job as a bus driver for Fort Detrick in Frederick.

Judith is ecstatic to finally be able to find the home of her dreams! She knew exactly what she wanted to buy, but it wasn’t as easy as she had hoped. It seemed every time she found a home that qualified under the program and fit her wants and needs, the home was soon under contract to another buyer. However, Judith would not give up, and with the help of her real estate agents, Peggy Magnanelli and Debbi Lewis, with RE/MAX Results, her perseverance paid off.

IHA’s Vice President of Construction and Development, Ron Morris, will be supervising the repair process. The home needs new siding, the hardwood floors need to be refinished, some bathroom tile work, and a complete interior paint job. Judith has already planned a painting party for July! The cost of the repairs, about $10,000, was included in the mortgage loan from USDA, and Judith doesn’t have to wait until everything is completed before she moves in. In the photo, Judith is showing where her dishwasher will be installed.

In Maryland, this is a brand new type of Self-Help program. IHA is the only nonprofit that has received a technical assistance grant from USDA Rural Development to provide this program in Frederick County, as well as Carroll and Washington counties.

IHA works with program participants to obtain a certificate of eligibility from USDA for a no down payment, 3.125% fixed rate 33-year mortgage. We also provide credit repair and budgeting workshops and one-on-one sessions for those that need help in this area, bundle together all of the documents and verifications required to go out with the application, inspect potential homes for realtors to determine whether a home qualifies for the program, work up a list of required repairs along with a cost estimate, set up and manage supervised bank accounts for the portion of the loan designated to cover the repairs after closing, manage the repair process after closing, and teach new homeowners how to repair and maintain their new home. There is no fee for our services.

Carol Riggles, IHA’s Homeownership Coordinator, will be photographing and following the transformation of Judith’s home from start to finish. Carol is just as excited as Judith! She said, “It’s easy to see that this home is a diamond in the rough, and once the walls get painted, the floors get refinished, and the exterior siding is replaced, it will be a home that Judith, or anyone for that matter, will cherish for years to come.”

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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