Purchase Repair Homeownership Program Receives Special Recognition!

inte8821 • April 28, 2016

The staff at Interfaith Housing Alliance’s Frederick office had the distinct honor of being visited by the United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development Administrator for the Rural Housing Service, Tony Hernandez, on the 21st of April. Mr. Hernandez brought with him USDA-RD State Director, Dr. William McGowan and Kathy Beisner, Assistant to the State Director. Brad King, USDA-RD Single Family Housing Program Director; Bonnie Rohrer, USDA-RD Loan Specialist; Vanessa Branch, USDA-RD Area Technician; and Jill Lordan, Self-Help Housing Director for NCALL Research also visited.

IHA is one of only six organizations in the United States offering the Purchase Repair Homeownership Program which was developed as another choice for individuals and families interested in building equity in their homes through their own labor in lieu of a down payment which is known as “Self-Help.”

In partnership with USDA Rural Development as the mortgage lender, the staff at IHA literally walks a potential homeowner through each step. From credit counseling to home repair education and advice, we have successfully helped 21 individuals and families purchase homes of their own and we expect another dozen to purchase in the next 12 months. The desire and need for affordable homeownership opportunities is reflected in the 173 individuals or families we are currently working with to become prequalified for homeownership.

IHA helps our clients attain the classic “American Dream” of homeownership. Our homeowners typically spend less per month for their mortgage, interest, property taxes and insurance (PITI) than they paid for renting an apartment. For example, our most recent homeowner was paying $1025 a month for a two-bedroom apartment and is now paying a total of $619 a month for a 3-bedroom townhome and that covers her mortgage and interest, as well as her property taxes and homeowners insurance!

It is both exciting and rewarding to see this program flourish and gain national recognition, and we very much appreciate the long-term partnership with USDA-RD. Before the Purchase Repair Program began, IHA helped 223 families or individuals build their own homes from the ground up in partnership with the USDA, Self-Help Program. IHA is very proud of the long, successful and over 20-year relationship we have had with the USDA.

Administrator Hernandez shared with IHA staff several great ideas on how to broaden our reach and increase our production, as well as suggesting additional sources of funding. He also requested that our staff help to write an article for national publication to better explain the Purchase Repair Homeownership Program. His visit resulted in a win-win for all parties involved.

For more information about our Purchase Repair Homeownership Program, please contact IHA’s Homeownership Coordinator, Carol Riggles, via email at criggles@interfaithhousing.org. The Purchase Repair Homeownership Program is just one of many ways IHA is working to resolve the lack of affordable housing throughout our region. To learn more about the programs and services IHA provides, please click here.

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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