Meet Ron Morris, VP of Construction and MVP to our homeownership participants!
Vivian Duran • June 1, 2021
Ron Morris, IHA’s Vice President of Construction/Development has 35+ years of experience in the construction field. He provides training and oversight for the participants of our homeownership program. He also establishes and maintains productive relationships with lenders, realtors, sponsors, public officials, vendors, and clients. We truly adore his personality and are proud to have him part of our IHA family.
Enjoy some quotes from vendors and clients:
“Ron Morris is absolutely wonderful to work with. He is very knowledgeable, professional, and understanding (scheduling, materials etc.) I truly wish that everyone we did work with were as great to work with as him!” – from Andy Adelsberger, Blue Line Roofing & Exteriors
“What a pleasure to work with Mr. Ron Morris. He is the perfect example of a person with a genuine personality which demonstrates his sincere concern, dedication, appreciation, and full attention to all aspects of construction details, laws, and standards. Most of all a sincere understanding how to communicate extremely well with all kinds of personalities. We appreciated his dedication and hard work. Always wishing him the best now and forever. Thank you, Ron.” – from Vivian & Rey Delaluz
“Ron is an amazing person, who is the backbone of the Purchase Repair Program at IHA. He goes above and beyond to ensure that the new homeowners have the tools and resources to complete their repairs. Ron teaches the participants about how to be a homeowner. Ron genuinely cares for each participant deeply. He takes a personal approach to their success. Ron is a wonderful asset to IHA.” from Kelly Losquadro, REALTOR, ABR Long & Foster
“We enjoyed all our contacts with Ron. He was unfailingly cheerful, brought good materials to us, and was directly helpful for many of the projects. He managed to be always available for questions, practical, and timely all the while giving the impression of being relaxed and laid back. In fact, it was Ron who was the first representative of IHA I met at a multi-vendor, multi-service housing display - I think it was at the ARC building. He was most encouraging about the possibility of entering the USDA Rural Repair Program and gave me the courage to apply. My husband and I both give him kudos for all his work with IHA. Thanks for the opportunity to sing his praises.” – from Jan Guillory
“Easiest person to work with ever more like a friend.” – from Pat Toney, Fredericktowne Electric
“My experience with Ron were always very good. He is a professional with solidarity, who guided me in repairs in my house. Everything was such a nice experience, that I would definitely do again. Thank you, Ron!” – from Fernando Munoz
“Ron and I go way back to his supervisor days at Ryan homes. A true gentleman, after meeting him, and helping him with his project he was kind enough to spread the word within the company to others. What can I say, over two decades later we still have the opportunity to work for one of the largest builders in the area. So, for me all roads lead to Ron Morris!” – from Pete Pantazopoulos, Sunshine Cleaning and Restoration
“Mr. Ron has been very cooperative, and we also benefited from his long experience in the field of work in construction. He answered all our questions and gave great advice. We are very grateful and thankful for him. Thank you for all the hard work Ron.” - from Mohammed Ibrahim &Faten Alwan
“Ron was extremely helpful throughout this process. He was always there to help with the renovations and set up vendors to work with. He took a load off my shoulders... He was a calming factor when I got stressed which was very helpful. I appreciate Ron for all he did to help me with my dream home. His help truly was the best benefit of the program.” - from Caprice Webb
“I have interacted with Ron Morris a number of times in my role as a Home Inspector for some of the homes in IHA’s Purchase Repair. Through those interactions, Ron has always impressed me with his knowledge and expertise of homes and how they are built, as well as by his commitment to the mission of IHA. With his efforts and assistance many individuals and families have achieved their goal of homeownership. It has been a pleasure and an honor to know Ron during my time with IHA.” – from Mark Long, Peace of Mind Home Inspections & IHA Board Member
“Ron is patient and calm. He listened to our questions about the house and how to make the repairs. He recommended businesses to complete our inspections and make the repairs we couldn't handle. We really felt like Ron was experienced and we could trust his recommendations. He was understanding and took time with us to answer our questions. I always had a long list of questions to ask him and after I talked with him, he put my mind at ease. I felt more knowledgeable to make a plan. He explained our choices and the repairs that could be made. He explained the pros and cons to sky lights in the ceiling, sump pumps in the basement, rerouting rainwater from the house foundation, do's and don'ts with insulation, who to call to inspect our chimneys, who to call to install our radon vent, best deals for window installations. The list goes on and on. I was always relieved to talk with him. We felt like he wanted to help us achieve our goals to improve our new home. It was reassuring to have Ron's eyes on our home and the repairs that needed completed. Ron is an expert at home construction/repair. He visited several houses with us we were interested in buying. He saw and told us the repairs that would be needed and what we needed to consider, which led us to make our decisions. He knew what the inspectors would see. He noticed propane tank pipes routed incorrectly from the garage to the fireplace, the asphalt skirt at the end of the driveway and the drainage underneath weren't code and would cost a lot to repair, the insulation in the walls wasn't thick enough and the heating bills would be high. Ron is laid back and easy going. While I was purchasing and repairing my home with IHA, I went through an extremely difficult event in my life. Ron understood I was overwhelmed. We were at the end of making our repairs, and I hadn't sent him my update reports. He reached out to me, excused me from writing the updates and accepted an email describing where we were in the process to share with his team. I was also working with a program who was weatherizing my home. They were running bathroom vents through the roof and fixing the attic insulation to code. Ron understood the value of this to me and extended a deadline as best as he could to accommodate us. I remember the first delivery of materials he left for us were in a Home Depot bucket. We thought "we didn't need a bucket." Boy, were we wrong!! We haven't stopped using that bucket!! Thank you, Ron, for your foresight!! Ron has a positive outlook and a great sense of humor. At one of the meetings with the moms in the program like me who were in the process of buying a home to repair, Ron reminded us, "ok ladies, so were not looking for a house with granite countertops and stainless-steel kitchens. You're looking for a home that needs repairs." We all laughed. We enjoyed working with him. As I said, talking with him was uplifting. He recently met with me to answer some of my questions about my mom's home, and I smiled big when his truck pulled in the driveway. He joked with me because my measuring tape and his were measuring differently. I decided to go with his! It was so good to see him and talk with him. Ron was one of several people at IHA who were like a team I trusted to help me make the best decisions while buying and repairing my new home. It was a relief to have Ron and the IHA staff help me through this huge process. I felt like I was in good hands, and I appreciate the work Ron does for me, my family and for others. For myself and others, Ron's work is life changing. My life and my children's lives are entirely different (better) because of Ron and IHA.” - from Heather Rice
It is with immense gratitude that we recognize Ron Morris and his contributions to all IHA affordable housing programs: self-help housing construction, purchase repair homeownership program and, the low-income housing tax credit program. During Ron’s tenure with IHA, he acted as the construction supervisor on the building of 40 self-help housing units and 52 purchase repair units. Ron also provided construction oversight to five low-income housing tax credit rental properties adding 193 affordable rental units to the IHA portfolio.
Sadly, Ron’s legacy at IHA is coming to an end. In February of 2021, Ron informed us that he will be retiring in 2023. Ron, we will miss hearing your cheerful whistles and “it’s Friday, it’s Friday!” singing through the office.
IHA will be hiring a construction manager in the next year. Interested parties please contact Jodie Ostoich at jostoich@interfaithhousing.org.
Veridian Capital Partners Brightens Weinberg House with Hands-On Volunteer Work On Friday February 20, 2026, the team from Veridian Capital Partners, led by founding partners Brian Runkles, CFP, Chandru Ramachandran, CFP, and Brian Williamson, CFP, brought a splash of color—and a lot of heart—to Weinberg House. The group dedicated their time and resources to repaint the hallway rails and residents’ doors, transforming the spaces leading into each apartment. Built in 1995, Weinberg House has long been a warm and supportive home for its residents. The recent makeover not only lifted the spirits of the IHA staff and residents, but also gave the building a refreshed, welcoming appearance that reflects the care and community within its walls. “It’s incredible to see the space come alive with new color, and the joy it brings to our residents is priceless,” said a member of the Weinberg House staff. Thanks to the generosity and hands-on effort of Veridian Capital Partners, Weinberg House is now brighter, more inviting, and a testament to the power of community collaboration.
Stronger Credit. Stronger Families. Stronger Frederick. The 2026 Unity Campaign & IHA’s Credit Café Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is proud to participate in the 2026 Unity Campaign for Frederick County. What is the Unity Campaign? The Unity Campaign is Frederick County’s annual, fully online giving event that brings together local nonprofits, sponsors, and community members for one powerful purpose: strengthening our community together. Every dollar you donate goes directly to the nonprofit of your choice — and we hope you’ll choose Interfaith Housing Alliance. Why Your Support Matters All nonprofits participating in the Unity Campaign serve ALICE households. ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families earn above the Federal Poverty Level, yet still struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, childcare, transportation, food, and healthcare. In Frederick County, 36% of households fall into the ALICE category. That means more than one in three families in our community are working hard — but still living on the financial edge. It could be your neighbor. Your coworker. Your child’s coach. Your family member. Your donation helps create stability where it’s needed most. Where Your Donation Goes: The Credit Café Workshop Unity Campaign donations directly support IHA’s Credit Café Workshop — a completely free program designed to help individuals build stronger credit and greater financial confidence. Just $94.10 covers the cost of two credit reports for one participant. That one step can open the door to: Safer housing Lower interest rates Reliable transportation Better employment opportunities Credit impacts nearly every major financial decision — from renting an apartment to turning on utilities. When someone improves their credit, they improve their future. How the Credit Café Works The program combines education, personalized strategy, and continued support. Step 1: Group Education Participants attend a one-hour virtual workshop offered multiple times each month. They learn: How credit scores work What impacts their score How to build or repair credit Smart financial habits for long-term stability Step 2: One-on-One Advising Within one week, participants meet virtually with an advisor for a personalized 30-minute session. They receive: A free tri-merged credit report (pulled the day of the session) Help understanding their report A customized action plan with realistic credit goals Step 3: Continued Support Participants don’t navigate the process alone. Advisors follow up at 3 and 6 months (by text, email, or phone — participant’s choice) to check progress and provide guidance. They’re also invited back for: A second advising session An updated credit report The program is currently 100% virtual, with expanding hybrid options. Interpretation services are available at no cost in more than 240 languages. How to Donate There are two easy ways to support IHA through the 2026 Unity Campaign: Visit the campaign donation page and select Interfaith Housing Alliance: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/UnityFC26/team/InterfaithHousing 2. Text the campaign code to donate directly: UnityFC2661 to 71777 Every gift makes a measurable impact. Not Able to Donate? You can still make a difference. Share this campaign. Talk about it. Spread the word. Community awareness fuels community change. Interested in the Credit Café Workshop? Contact Lacy Allen Email: lames@interfaithhousing.org Text: 301-818-5606 Together, we can build stronger credit, stronger families, and a stronger Frederick.
Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is proud to announce 12 funding awards totaling more than $333k during the last two quarters from our community partners. In September 2025, IHA was awarded two grants that will support the organization’s Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services. IHA received a $30,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Maryland Housing Counseling Fund (MHCF). IHA also received a $10,000 grant from Truist Financial Corporation. These grants will support the full spectrum of community programming we offer, including: group educational workshops on financial health; individualized financial coaching and housing counseling; and pathways to homeownership. In October 2025, IHA received a $125,000 grant from Morgan Stanley. This grant supports IHA in its ongoing quest to create and provide affordable housing opportunities for LMI community members. It also allows IHA to continue supporting community members through our Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services.. IHA was also awarded a grant by the Ausherman Family Foundation. This 2:1 matching grant will match up to $30,000 in donations raised from community members and IHA’s Board of Directors during the organization's 2025-2026 annual appeal. Funds will support the full range of IHA’s services and programming. In November 2025 and January 2026, IHA was awarded a total allocation of $45,000 in State tax credits through the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) Program of Maryland’s DHCD. Donors who make contributions of $500 or more to IHA in support of our mission are eligible to earn tax credits equal to 50% of the value of the money, goods, or real property contribution. These tax credits are in addition to the deductions on both Federal and State taxes as a result of the charitable contribution. In November 2025, IHA was awarded a $20,000 grant from Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. This grant supports three of IHA’s programs: Credit Café; Financial Freedom Bootcamp; and the Frederick Affordable Homeownership Incubator (FAHI). Credit Café participants work specifically on improving their credit. Financial Freedom Bootcamp builds critical foundational skills for financial success. FAHI is a new program in the planning phase that takes a multisectoral approach to affordable housing. IHA also received two funding awards in support of its Credit Café program. IHA’s $10,000 application to participate in United Way of Frederick County’s Annual Unity Campaign was approved. This approval enables IHA to participate in the Spring 2026 Unity Campaign alongside other local nonprofit organizations to collectively raise funds in the Frederick County community. IHA also received a $1,500 Community Grant from the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek (RCCC). Credit Café promotes financial stability among LMI households through group credit education and free, individualized credit advising. Participants partner with a financial coach to create a strategic plan to either build, boost, or improve their report. In addition, IHA received a $1,518.91 designated grant from The PNC Homeownership Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These pass-through funds will directly support low- to moderate-income (LMI) households in achieving homeownership in Frederick County. In December 2025, IHA was awarded a $55,676 grant from the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT). This grant supports the 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 very low to moderate income. The rehabilitation project includes upgrades to heating, appliances, plumbing, drywall, flooring, lighting, cabinets, and countertops. IHA also received a $5,000 donor-advised grant from The Nicholson Family Fund of Morgan Stanley. These unrestricted funds will support all of IHA’s endeavors in strengthening the communities we serve.