Townhomes at former Penn Avenue School set for summer completion

inte8821 • March 7, 2012

Townhomes at former Penn Avenue School set for summer completion

25 units, clubhouse being built
Elaine Blaisdell, Cumberland Times-News

An artist’s rendering shows the layout of Penn Avenue Townhomes, which is being constructed at the site of the former Pennsylvania Avenue School building. The project is expected to be finished next summer.
CUMBERLAND — Cumberland Family Homes II, to be located at the site of the former Pennsylvania Avenue School, is slated for completion in the summer and is taking applications for renters, said Bryan Lyburn, vice president of Business Operations of Interfaith Housing Alliance, Inc.

“The former Pennsylvania School has been completely demolished and they (the Partnership for Income Restricted Housing Leadership) will begin framing the first unit on Monday. Three out of the six foundations have already been put in,” said Lyburn.

Interfaith Housing, which is based in Frederick, was awarded a low-income tax credit to construct the 25 lease-to-purchase townhomes and a community clubhouse in partnership with the city, the state of Maryland, Partnership for Income Restricted Housing Leadership Developers, LLC and Boston Financial Investment Management.

“I think the townhomes will be a wonderful boost to the neighborhood. The buildings will have a wonderful handicap access for seniors,” said Terri Hast, the city’s economic development specialist. “Our code enforcement officer said everything (thus far,) is built very well.”

The housing complex will consist of four two-bedroom units, 17 three-bedroom units and four four-bedroom units, each with two bathrooms ranging from 1,279 to 1,649 square feet. The rooms will boast walk-in closets, ample storage space, private balconies and patios, central heating and air conditioning and Energy Star rated windows and appliances. The townhomes are for low- and moderate-income families earning at or below 50 percent of the county median. Rent ranges between $420 and $647.

There is no application fee, but the application requires a landlord reference, a credit and background check and applicants must be within the income limits, said Becky Broussard, Interfaith’s asset manager.

“Thus far, about 12 applications have been received,” she said. “That was done with no advertising but just through word of mouth. Applications will not be processed until three months before the completion of the project and they will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a waiting list.”

The project is so far two years in the making, Lyburn said, after site selection, design process, competitive application process and financing from the state.

“It’s a big project and long process. It took a lot of people coming to the table at the same time with common ideas to make an affordable, green, energy efficient, well-built, state-of the art project,” said Lyburn.

Interfaith, which will own and maintain the complex, also owns and maintains Washington Ridge in Frostburg.

Founded in 1990, Interfaith is a regional nonprofit, that aims to provide affordable housing opportunities and supportive services to improve the quality of life and economic stability of seniors, working families and individuals, according to the group’s website.

For an application for the townhomes, go to the website www.interfaithousing.org or contact Patti Penn, local property manager, at 301-622-4225, ext. 1306 or at ppenn@interfaithhousing.org.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.

http://times-news.com/local/x345563976/Townhomes-at-former-Penn-Avenue-School-set-for-summer-completion

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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