February to August 2023 Grant Review

Rachel Gardner • September 5, 2023

February to August 2023 Grant Review

IHA is proud to announce 7 funding awards received from community partners: 


In February 2023, IHA was awarded a $25,000 grant by the Kahlert Foundation. This grant supports the continued rehabilitation of IHA’s Weinberg House. This 23-unit affordable rental community in Frederick, MD was originally built in 1994 and houses senior members of our community ages 62 and older with low to moderate income. The rehabilitation project includes upgrades to heating, appliances, plumbing, drywall, flooring, lighting, cabinets, and countertops. 


In April 2023, IHA was awarded a $10,000 Community Partnership Grant from Frederick County Government. This grant supports IHA’s three Financial Dignity and Empowerment Workshops: Credit Café; Your Prescription for Financial Health; and Ready, Set, Go… Home! In Credit Café, participants work specifically on improving their credit. Your Prescription for Financial Health helps participants learn about budgeting, saving, asset-building, and healthy spending. Ready, Set, Go… Home! helps participants understand the homebuying process from start to finish. 


Between April and July 2023, IHA received three funding awards in support of its Credit Café program. IHA’s partnership agreement with United Way of Frederick County and The Prosperity Center was renewed twice, providing $15,000 in support of continued program operations. IHA also received a $3,000 Service Partnership Grant awarded by the Rotary Club of Frederick. Credit Café promotes financial stability among LMI households through group credit education and free, individualized credit advising. Participants partner with a certified financial coach to create a strategic plan to build, boost, or improve their credit. 


In June 2023, IHA was awarded a $7,360 grant from the City of Frederick through their Community Promotions Grant program. This grant supports aging in place and youth development needs among City residents through IHA’s Supportive Services. The program serves residents of IHA’s senior and multi-family affordable rental communities at 222 Broadway Street (Weinberg House) and 520 N. Market Street, respectively. It also serves residents of Conifer’s multi-family affordable rental community at 16 Steiner Way (Sinclair Way). 


IHA was also awarded in June a $43,000 grant from Enterprise Community Partners. This Section 4 capacity building grant supports succession planning for a critical position at IHA, the Director of Construction. With the current Director of Construction retiring at the end of this year, this funding award will be instrumental in supporting his replacement. It gives IHA the opportunity to plan for a smooth transition and adequate training for the new employee, ensuring our programs and community initiatives continue with high quality, uninterrupted service delivery. 

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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