A Second Chance: Nicole’s Journey to Stability at Residence at Railroad Square

Jodie Ostoich • September 8, 2025

December 20, 2024, marked one of the happiest days of Nicole’s life—it was the day she and her three children finally had a place to call home. After facing difficult times, being approved as a tenant at the Residence at Railroad Square meant more than just a roof over their heads; it was a second chance at stability and safety.


That Christmas, Nicole and her children celebrated the holiday together in their new home. The joy and comfort of that season symbolized a fresh start. As the new year began, life started looking up for Nicole and her family. However, in April 2025, unexpected health issues forced Nicole to miss work, which quickly affected her ability to keep up with rent. Falling behind financially led to an eviction filing—a terrifying prospect that reminded Nicole of the instability she had worked so hard to overcome.


“When I had to be taken to court, it scared me to the point that I immediately reached out to Support Services and other resources to get this fixed,” Nicole shared. “My fear was that I would end up back in hotels, homeless again. In Frederick, once you leave the shelter, you have to wait a year just to get on the waitlist again. Then you wait even longer for your turn to get back in.”

At her first court appearance, the property manager requested a two-week continuance so that Nicole could work with the property’s Support Service Coordinator, Sandi. That small window became a turning point.


Nicole took immediate action. She met with Sandi to complete a budget plan and connected with resources for rental assistance and food support. She arranged with her property manager to begin making bi-weekly rent payments, making it easier to manage her finances. Most importantly, she made tough but necessary decisions for the wellbeing of her family—like no longer giving her children extra spending money out of guilt for their past struggles. “I’ve worked hard to get back on track. Sandi guided me to resources that really helped—rent support, food banks, and more. Since the eviction was lifted, I’ve been working closely with Support Services to stay stable,” Nicole shared.


Nicole’s story is one of determination, and the impact of supportive housing and compassionate services. Her journey reflects the importance of second chances—and how a little support at the right time can change everything.

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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