Grant Awards Through Housing Accelerator Fund on 3rd ARPA Anniversary

Monday Mar 11th, 2024

Mayor Brandon M. Scott, alongside Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), the Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD), the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS), the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs (MORP), and federal and city partners announced $29.8 million in awards from the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund.

In September 2023, DHCD and MOHS announced the launch of the Housing Accelerator Fund, with the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to construct permanent supportive housing. The program utilizes $15.2 million from the City’s American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Recovery funds (SLFRF) and $14.7 million from the Home Investment Partnerships Program American Rescue Plan Act funds. Permanent supportive housing (PSH) combines affordable housing, health care, and supportive services to help individuals and families who are homeless, may have been formerly homeless, or otherwise unable to maintain housing stability.

MOHSHousing Accelerator FundARPADHCDaffordable housinghomeless

Baltimore, Let’s Ride to Work

Returning Baltimoreans to Work: Utilizing ARPA Fund for Commutes During and After the Pandemic

In 2022, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the launch of Baltimore City’s innovative transportation program, “Let’s Ride to Work.” Let’s Ride to Work (LRTW) is a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED) and Lyft, Inc., supported with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act grant. Those who qualify must be 18 years or older, a resident of Baltimore City, have been newly employed within the past two weeks, work a minimum of 32 hours per week, and have a transportation need to reach their place of employment within Baltimore City. In keeping with its mission of delivering economic justice to Baltimore City residents, MOED invested $267,000 to fund up to 40 free rides per eligible resident for the first four weeks of employment. By then, the resident will likely have received their first paycheck, putting them on course to address their future transportation needs. Read more...

ARPA Insight Stories: Empowering Baltimore’s Youth Post-Pandemic: The Essential Role of Engagement Programs

Investing in Programs that Reconnect, Rebuild, and Develop Resilience in Baltimore’s Youth

As Baltimore emerges from the pandemic's shadows, addressing youth challenges, from social isolation to mental health strains, is crucial. Amidst adversity, Baltimore's investment in local youth engagement programs offers hope, assisting those facing heightened mental health issues. According to a survey on youth mental health conducted by the National Library of Medicine, the pandemic has exacerbated issues like anxiety, depression, and loneliness among young people surveyed. However, youth engagement programs may promote well-being and resilience through structured activities, peer support, and resource access.

These programs have become more essential than ever after the pandemic. They serve as catalysts for social reconnection, offering youth the chance to rediscover their communities, forge meaningful relationships, and reignite their sense of belonging. After months of isolation, these programs provide invaluable opportunities for youth to rebuild their social networks.