Our Story!

inte8821 • June 1, 2016

Many people banter about community issues but few are moved to action. More than twenty-five years ago, a group of concerned people were discussing the severe lack of affordable housing in our area. The need could not be ignored and wouldn’t be resolved by simply talking about it.

In 1989, The Most Rev. P. Francis Murphy, a native of Cumberland, organized a group of religious and lay leaders in Maryland to address the growing need for affordable housing. This group, guided by the expertise of The Enterprise Foundation, established the formation of the Western Maryland Interfaith Housing Development Corporation. Interfaith began staffed operations in 1992 as little more than a vision, operating out of a spare bedroom in the home of James Upchurch, the founding CEO. Committed to providing affordable housing in the Western Maryland Region, Jim was a true advocate for this cause.

Thanks in large part to what was begun by Bishop Murphy, Upchurch, dedicated board members and staff and now carried on under the expert direction of current CEO, Patricia Motter, the Board of Directors, and staff, Interfaith Housing Alliance – IHA as it is called today , has provided 1300 units of affordable housing throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania.

By increasing housing opportunities and strengthening programs to ensure housing stability, IHA is a regional leader. We consistently partner with and support clients to increase their ability to find housing.

In the past two years, the Purchase Repair Homeownership Program which is one of only six pilot programs under USDA Rural Development, has helped 21 families find homes of their own. In addition, there are several communities currently being planned and soon to be unveiled. Stay tuned as IHA helps the ever growing need to find affordable workforce, and senior housing!

From humble beginnings to exciting future endeavors, IHA continues to do the very best for the community we serve. There is a very real need and we are fulfilling that need in extraordinary ways. For more information about our programs and all the good we do here at IHA, visit our website at www.interfaithhousing.org or call us at 301.662.4225.

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
Show More