December 2024 Newsletter End of Year Campaign Article

Jodie Ostoich • December 4, 2024

In 2024 you can’t read an online article, turn on the evening news or pick up a newspaper without headlines screaming that housing is not affordable. This used to be the rally cry of affordable housing advocates everywhere. But as inflation, interest rates and lack of housing inventory begin to impact middle America, housing affordability is having a moment in our collective consciousness. 

In 2024 Maryland families need to earn $36.70 per hour to afford a two bedroom apartment. If they earn minimum wage, they must work 98 hours per week to afford that same two bedroom. In Frederick County Maryland, families must earn between $28.46-$48.08 per hour to affording housing in their zip code. 

It is this kind of data that drives the mission of Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA). We seek to strengthen communities by providing affordable housing opportunities for seniors, working families and individuals. IHA currently has 528 new affordable homes in construction and will be available in the fall of 2024 and in 2025. It is our joy to serve others with this much needed housing. 

We invite you to join us in this work by giving during our year end campaign which kicked off on November 1st. Each dollar donated is being matched by $2, thanks to our sponsors. IHA has raised $60,000 in matching sponsorship funds and our goal is to raise $30,000 more in donations. Please consider supporting this important work.

IHA has community investment tax credits to give to donors that have a Maryland tax liability. To qualify you must donate $500 or more. Tax credits can be issued for 50% of your donation. For example, if you give $500 then you could receive $250 in tax credits. In addition, you can claim the full amount of the donation as a charitable deduction. That would be $500 for the deduction, $250 in tax credits. You can double dip on your Maryland Tax return!

To partake in these tax credits please write CITC on your donation check of $500 or greater. If giving on the IHA website, please send me an email so that we can get working on your tax credit documents at once. jostoich@interfaithhousing.org. 

You can go here to make your tax deductible donation: IHA

To read more about Maryland Community Investment Tax Credits: DHCD Dashboard.

Thank you for partnering with IHA in this life impacting work! 

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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