Standard Charitable Foundation Awards $2,500 to IHA

inte8821 • August 13, 2013

Cumberland, Maryland – Standard Charitable Foundation has awarded a $2,500 grant to Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) to help provide training for Cumberland residents through IHA’s Housing Matters Program, which provides affordable housing opportunities, financial education, and housing counseling services for the working poor, seniors on fixed incomes, and individuals or families with disadvantages and/or disabilities. IHA helps provide these individuals and families with the knowledge and resources needed to achieve economic stability and a higher quality of life.

Currently, IHA provides these affordable housing opportunities throughout Maryland and south-central Pennsylvania, and has created more than 1,100 affordable housing units, invested over $150 million in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and has received more than 30 awards of excellence for their accomplishments. ¬

“We greatly appreciate Standard Charitable Foundation’s recent contribution as we initiate the Housing Matters program in Cumberland,” said Patricia Motter, President of IHA. “IHA has been involved in the county since the 1996 opening of Washington Ridge Apartments. We are thrilled to build 25 new, beautiful lease-to-own townhomes at our Penn Avenue location that set a new standard of living for affordable housing. We look forward to offering the Housing Matters Program to the new Penn Avenue townhomes as well as to the community at large.”

Rachel Ritchey, assistant manager of Standard Bank’s Cumberland office, adds “IHA has become the one of the region’s leading non-profit in affordable housing development. They’ve reached this status because of their excellence in rental home management, ensuring responsiveness to residents needs, and through their long-term investment in the neighborhoods they serve. IHA has really done a fantastic job keeping these structures and their landscaping in immaculate condition. Having spoken with a few of the residents, you can tell they also take great pride in their homes.”

Standard Charitable Foundation’s mission is to provide financial support to not for profit organizations in the communities in which Standard Bank operates. The Standard Charitable Foundation was established in conjunction with the 2010 conversion of Standard Bank’s parent company from mutual to stock form.

Photo Caption: From left to right: Patricia Motter, President of IHA; Rebecca Broussard, asset manager of IHA; and Rachel Ritchey of Standard Bank’s Cumberland Office.

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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