Attendees

Diana Geis, Robert Meyer, Kim Lane, Tony Scott, Jon Law, Kelleigh Eastman, Christina Engerman, George Kleb, Heather Kangas, Sonia Eaddy, Mark Matthews, Suzanne Welch, Nancy McCormick, Milan Griffin, Leila Kohler-Frueh, Roland Roberts

Introductions

Review of February Minutes

 

  • Motion to accept Nancy, Seconded Suzanne Welch

 

Guest Speakers

  • HomeFree USA – Homeownership Counseling
    • Help first-time homebuyers find incentives
    • Provide class/hours need to qualify
    • Credit help
    • Help for savings
    • Step-by-step through mortgage lender
      • Free classes coming up
    • Q&A:
      • How long is certificate good for? 12 months
      • Do you connect with mortgage lenders? Yes.
      • April 1st next homeownership; first Thursdays are free classes; third Saturdays $99
      • For more information: https://www.homefreeusa.org/baltimoreevent
  • Urban Container Living, LLC – Mark Matthews
    • Shipping containers are versatile
      • Waterproof, vermin proof, hurricane-resisted
      • Can be used for:
        • Homelessness, commercial real estate, residential
    • Why Baltimore?
      • Glut of vacant lots
      • Need for employment and training
        • Especially for reentry
      • Supply of product (shipping containers not being shipped back)
    • Model in Mt Clare
      • 20 ft and 40 ft.
      • 318 S Stricker; $70k price point, $17-30/sq ft
    • Q&A:
      • Will have basement? No
      • Façade will blend in? Yes, no steel or metal, but will be clad
      • When will be complete? Talked to zoning and planning. 3 months to complete.

Updates

  • Aging in Place subcommittee report – N/A
  • Receivership subcommittee report
      • City takes owner to court → Court appoints a Receiver to take possession (not ownership) for the Receiver to:
        • Demolish
        • Auction off or
        • Rehab themselves
      • One House at a Time is the current preferred receiver for residential in Baltimore City
      • Proposal: Southwest Partnership (SWP) be named a receiver in certain situations (not for auctions or demo, but for renovation)
        • SWP has a relationship with Civil Justice nonprofit law firm to assist with receivership should SWP become a Receiver
        • Properties selected would follow similar neighborhood review process, and concur with HCD on those properties
        • SWP would vet developers, developers would rehab property and sell either to previous owner (legal right of first refusal) or new homeowner.

 

  • Diana makes motion to allow SWP to become a receiver given this scenario: Kim Lane first and Sonia Eaddy seconds

 

        • How can deal with overhead? Only time spent on Receivership work can be recouped according to courts.
        • Clarify 90-day requirement: Within 30 days, developer applies for permits and within 90 days from permit they can complete house.
        • Where is funding coming from to do this work? Can borrow it, or go to foundation/State/City and ask for pilot support.
        • Must be careful that we don’t get stuck with property where we cannot recoup expenses.
        • LLC: Will be using an LLC as receiver to protect the SWP Board, then sell membership to contractor, developer
        • Are these existing properties in pipeline? How are they identified? SWP identifies, court appoints SWP for identified

 

  • Diana: All in favor – unanimous → Motion passed and will go to SWP Board for final approval.

 

    • Receivership Subcommittee next steps:
      • Meet with attorneys – show that neighborhoods are behind it
      • Come up with list of properties
      • New members: Heather Kangas, support from Kim Lane
  • Tax sale update
    • March 2nd had a workshop to update folks on where we are and where we are going
    • Now accepting applications
    • Still negotiating with City over properties that don’t qualify for lien reduction, but liens are still too high.
    • Q&A:
      • Is there any resource for people who need help redeeming their properties? — St. Ambrose & MD Volunteer Lawyers provide legal aid to those who need help redeeming their properties
  • Poe Homes planning grant process update – N/A
  • Live Near Your Work – UM
    • Met with UM and one of suggestions was to identify potentially rehabbed properties in advance
  • Live Baltimore Trolley Tour – May 11 (8am-1pm)
    • Each of neighborhood to have a brochure
  • La Cite – Center West –N/A

Old Business

New Business

Motion to adjourn: Heather first, Tony second

Scroll to Top