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

Gary Free resident at Residences at Railroad Square Apartments

March 3, 2025
Gary Free grew up in Brunswick, MD. The first time he saw the Residences at Railroad Square, he knew he would love to live in the apartments. Now all he can think to himself is, “I am living here!” Gary said the day he signed his lease he was so happy! He has a picture hanging in his apartment that says, “You’re Home.” Gary looks at it often and says to himself, “I am!” He finally feels at peace. Gary feels his home is nice! He also feels one of the ways of living at Residences of Railroad Square is that he now has everything he ever wanted, asked for and needed. The only thing he feels is a concern is that most of the time he gets lonely. His goal is to try to meet people. He says, “I’m a very friendly person.” Gary says his experience living at the Residences at Railroad Square has been rather good. If he has any concerns he can talk to the office staff. He feels it can’t get any better than this!

Lease-up of Residence of Railroad Square

By Crystal Thomas • March 3, 2025
With excitement and anticipation, I watched the groundbreaking on June 29, 2023, with my assistant Vickie and IHA’s Supportive Services coordinator, Sandi. By the middle of September 2023 concrete walls were being set up. We watched as the roof was completed; then the windows and doors were installed. We impatiently waited for the day we received permission to see the inside of the Residences of Railroad Square property. Finally, on September 25, 2024, we had the privilege to tour the inside of this beautiful property. On the weekend of September 27, 2024, the IHA property management team along with the CEO Jodie, held a two-day in-person application event. The owners of First Stop Brunswick generously donated their space at 2. E. Baltimore Street. That lease up kick off generated 56 applications. Over the next three months, ninety more applications were submitted. Each applicant came with their own story which stirred our hearts. No matter how different their stories may have been, they all had the same wish, a place to call home for Christmas! On November 5, 2024, the first resident signed their lease and on December 23, 2024, the last empty unit was filled! Not only were we able to fulfill these residents' Christmas wishes but it also filled our hearts with joy!

Interfaith Housing Alliance (IHA) is proud to announce 4 funding awards received this quarter from community partners.

March 3, 2025
In November 2024, IHA was awarded a $20,000 grant from Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. This grant supports IHA’s three workshop series: Credit Café ; Financial Freedom Bootcamp ; and Ready, Set, Go… Home! In Credit Café, participants work specifically on improving their credit. Financial Freedom Bootcamp builds critical foundational skills for financial success. Ready, Set, Go… Home! walks participants through the entire homebuying process from start to finish. IHA also received a $1,574.37 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 2024, IHA was awarded a $29,498 grant from the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT). MAHT is administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization. This grant program is a valuable resource for the advancement of affordable housing initiatives and will provide operational assistance to IHA’s affordable multifamily community in Cumberland, MD. In January 2025, IHA was awarded a $2,500 grant by The Natelli Communities Charitable Fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County. These unrestricted funds will support IHA’s work across the multiple counties served by our programs and affordable rental communities.
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