By Tashi McQueen,
AFRO Political Writer,
tmcqueen@afro.com
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) recently announced two new programs to support the homeless population of Baltimore and those on the verge of being unhoused.
The House Baltimore Property Owner Engagement Initiative will assist housing partners in ensuring higher quality and affordable homes for people without housing. The Flex Fund for Diversion and Rapid Resolution will provide short-term assistance for those at risk of being homeless and those who have recently become homeless.
“Flex Funds and housing units made available through House Baltimore are accessible to eligible Baltimoreans who seek resources from various MOHS programs, including Housing Navigation, Coordinated Access and Emergency Shelter,” said Bryan Doherty, director of communications for the Mayor’s Office of Communications. “MOHS has programming that focuses on both those currently experiencing homelessness and those who may be housing insecure or at risk of becoming homeless.”
In 2022, Scott invested $75 million in homeless services through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, partially supporting persons experiencing or at risk of homelessness. MOHS launched the two new programs with the city’s ARPA investment.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare many of the challenges our communities face and exacerbated housing loss,” said Doherty, speaking to the reasoning for the investment.
ARPA provided $641 million to Baltimore to help the city and its residents recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Housing is a fundamental human right, and we wanted to ensure that this once-in-a-generation funding opportunity was utilized equitably to serve all Baltimoreans, particularly our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Scott in a statement. “My administration is proud to spearhead innovative initiatives like House Baltimore and the Flex Fund to ensure affordable housing is available and accessible to our neighbors who need it most.”
On a single night in January, MOHS reported that 1,551 people were experiencing homelessness. Of that 1,551, 73 percent were Black, 17 percent were youth (up to 24) and 16 percent were deemed chronically homeless.
More information on both programs can be found at homeless.baltimorecity.gov
Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.
The post Mayor Scott announces two new programs to support those experiencing homelessness appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers .
