Our Story!

inte8821 • June 1, 2016

Many people banter about community issues but few are moved to action. More than twenty-five years ago, a group of concerned people were discussing the severe lack of affordable housing in our area. The need could not be ignored and wouldn’t be resolved by simply talking about it.

In 1989, The Most Rev. P. Francis Murphy, a native of Cumberland, organized a group of religious and lay leaders in Maryland to address the growing need for affordable housing. This group, guided by the expertise of The Enterprise Foundation, established the formation of the Western Maryland Interfaith Housing Development Corporation. Interfaith began staffed operations in 1992 as little more than a vision, operating out of a spare bedroom in the home of James Upchurch, the founding CEO. Committed to providing affordable housing in the Western Maryland Region, Jim was a true advocate for this cause.

Thanks in large part to what was begun by Bishop Murphy, Upchurch, dedicated board members and staff and now carried on under the expert direction of current CEO, Patricia Motter, the Board of Directors, and staff, Interfaith Housing Alliance – IHA as it is called today , has provided 1300 units of affordable housing throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania.

By increasing housing opportunities and strengthening programs to ensure housing stability, IHA is a regional leader. We consistently partner with and support clients to increase their ability to find housing.

In the past two years, the Purchase Repair Homeownership Program which is one of only six pilot programs under USDA Rural Development, has helped 21 families find homes of their own. In addition, there are several communities currently being planned and soon to be unveiled. Stay tuned as IHA helps the ever growing need to find affordable workforce, and senior housing!

From humble beginnings to exciting future endeavors, IHA continues to do the very best for the community we serve. There is a very real need and we are fulfilling that need in extraordinary ways. For more information about our programs and all the good we do here at IHA, visit our website at www.interfaithhousing.org or call us at 301.662.4225.

Fall Updates from IHA

September 2, 2026
A quarter of grant wins, community partnerships, and small moments that remind us why this work matters. Here's what's been happening at Interfaith Housing Alliance since the summer. GRANTS & FUNDING: Four New Grants Fuel IHA's Work This Quarter Interfaith Housing Alliance is proud to announce four funding awards totaling $220,000 during the last quarter from our community partners. In June 2026, IHA was awarded a $30,000 grant by Ausherman Family Foundation. This capacity-building grant will provide funding support for the organization during its transition to new leadership. It will also support IHA's work with key community consultants with the goal of recentering IHA's programs and services in Frederick, MD. In July 2026, IHA was awarded a $125,000 grant from Morgan Stanley. This operational grant supports IHA in its ongoing quest to create and provide affordable housing opportunities for low- to moderate-income (LMI) community members. It also supports IHA's continued community programming, which provides access to financial education and affordable homeownership opportunities. In August 2026, IHA received two funding awards in support of IHA's Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services. IHA was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's (DHCD) Maryland Housing Counseling Fund (MHCF). IHA was also awarded a $35,000 grant by Rural Maryland Council (RMC) through their Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) program. These grants will support the full spectrum of community programming IHA offers, including group educational workshops on financial health, individualized financial coaching and housing counseling, and pathways to affordable homeownership. We are deeply grateful to these partners for their continued investment in this community.

Weinberg House Renovation Brings New Life to Senior Living

By Vickie Mills • June 2, 2026
Exciting, the final renovations of the last two units are underway at Weinberg House, a long-standing affordable senior living community in Fredrick, Maryland. Originally built in 1994, the property provided safe, stable housing for older adults for decades. Renovations began on May 1, 2023. At that time, they had a total of 23 units to renovate. The renovations included freshly painted walls, new carpet in the bedrooms, new flooring in the other rooms, new cabinets in the bathroom, as well as new kitchen cupboards, fixtures and new appliances. The final two units will be ready for lease up June 15, 2026. The renovation of Weinberg House represents a meaningful investment in both people and place. By modernizing the property while protecting its mission, this project will help ensure that affordable, welcoming housing remains available for seniors for years to come. It is an encouraging example of how thoughtful redevelopment can strengthen communities and honor the residents who call them home.

Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is proud to announce three funding awards during the last quarter from our community partners.

By Rachel Gardner • June 2, 2026
In March 2026, IHA was awarded a $50,000 grant through the Frederick County Government’s Helping Empower Area Resources Together (HEART). These one-time operational funds were awarded to mitigate the effects of the longest federal government shutdown in history. This grant has allowed IHA to continue providing essential programs and services to Frederick County residents despite challenges at the federal level. IHA was also awarded a $5,000 grant from the City of Frederick through the Community Promotion 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. In April 2026, IHA was also awarded a $25,000 Community Partnership Grant from Frederick County Government. This grant supports IHA’s full range of Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services, including our homeownership and financial education programming. IHA’s Purchase-Repair Program provides an avenue to homeownership for those who otherwise would not qualify for a traditional home loan. In Credit Café, participants work specifically on improving their credit. Financial Freedom Bootcamp helps participants improve their skills in budgeting, saving, debt reduction, and financial goal setting. The Frederick Affordable Housing Incubator (FAHI) brings multiple sectors together to increase the affordable housing inventory in Frederick County.
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