Community Development
We encourage initiatives that attract resident investment in neighborhoods, promote sustainability, increase economic development opportunities, and nurture entrepreneurial talent. We aim to increase the livability of neighborhoods, the number of residents, the number of jobs, and the size of the tax base. We are interested in programs that address concentrated poverty, racial wealth disparities, and tie the economic health of Baltimore City to the region.
As successful households are key to neighborhood health, we support efforts to:
The Stop Oppressive Seizures (SOS) Fund takes a multi-faceted approach to protecting homeownership and preserving residents’ ability to stay in their homes. Ninety percent of SOS clients have an income that falls below 80% of the area median, and 81% identify as Black or African American.
Black Women Build – Baltimore (BWB-B) is a homeownership and wealth-building initiative that trains Black women in residential construction skills by restoring vacant and disinvested houses in West Baltimore. The homes are available for purchase to those who have contributed time and work to the renovations.
Abell-Supported Research: Whole Blocks, Whole City
There are nearly 15,000 vacant houses and 20,000 vacant lots in Baltimore City, with many thousands more at risk, the majority of which are found in predominantly Black, low-income neighborhoods. Baltimore can break this cycle of disinvestment through a whole block strategy.
Have questions or want to discuss your idea for community development in Baltimore? Get in touch using the form below.
Header photo courtesy of ReBUILD Metro.