Revitalization in Brooklyn Park

Since its inception, the Brooklyn Park Property Rehabilitation Program of Arundel Community Development Services (ACDS) has worked to stabilize and revitalize the community while preserving affordable workforce housing stock in the community.  During a small area planning process, the community identified a strong need for a program to stem the tide of homes converting to rental properties, many of which were blighted or deteriorating into a blighted condition.

The Brooklyn Park Property Rehabilitation Program is supported through a variety of funding sources, including Community Legacy, County CDBG funds, Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program funds, and State lead paint funds when applicable.

13 homes have been renovated through the Program, with approximately eight additional applications in process.  The visual impacts of the program on the neighborhood are very evident and have spurred private investment by homeowners who did not participate ACDS program but rather choose to renovate their homes on their own.  The Program provides homeowners with loans for the interior and exterior rehabilitation if their homes and has proven successful in meeting the community’s need for addressing the increase in blighted homes.

ACDS’s program targets residential areas and individual property owners elect to participate in the program.  ACDS has contracted with an architect to design façade improvements, and ACDS staff assists the property owners in procuring a contactor to carry them out.

Through rehabilitation and upgrades, the homes in the ACDS program will meet market standards and help ensure that homeowners will remain in the area and prevent the units from being turned over to absentee landlords.  The program is also an important means of keeping moderate-income families in quality affordable homes.  The program helps those earning up to 80 percent of area median-income (AMI) or up to $59,000 for a family of four. In a country where many low and moderate-income homebuyers are being priced out of the market, Community Legacy has helped maintain a high quality stock of affordable homes, which helps keep the community stable and attractive for current and new residents alike.

State revitalization Programs:  Smart Investments in Our Communities

More information:

Calvin Peete, Citizen Planning and Housing Association (CPHA)

410-539-1369 x112 or calvinp@cphabaltimore.org