Rediscover Hollins-Roundhouse As home values continue to rise in Baltimore City, homebuyers and investors are constantly on the lookout for good deals in up and coming neighborhoods. And Hollins Roundhouse could be the perfect spot this spring. Located close to downtown, Hollins Roundhouse is a diverse Baltimore neighborhood "where art, culture, and business thrive". On June 17, Baltimore Housing will offer 21 vacant city-owned properties to potential homeowners and investors through local Realtors. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. at James McHenry Elementary School and features tours of all 21 properties. These properties are priced to sell but each house needs significant renovation. On Saturday, you'll get property information sheets and detailed rehabilitation estimates for each property.

Educational workshops will provided on topics like: how to apply for tax credits, working with contractors, how to do historic renovations, etc. Financial and real estate vendors will be on-hand to answer your questions. Click here to pre-register online or click here to take a virtual tour.

New process accelerates bid review and award Baltimore Housing's new rolling bid program is designed to simplify and streamline the process for reviewing development proposals. In the past, the city accepted unsolicited offers for properties on an open-ended basis. Staff found it difficult to review and track proposals because it was impossible to anticipate when or how many proposals would be submitted at any given time. Under the Rolling Bid process, Baltimore Housing accepts applications during a single week each month. Combined with improvements to the bid application and quicker review times, the volume of applications the Agency reviews each month has improved dramatically. During the first 3 months of the new process (September-November 2005), Baltimore Housing staff reviewed 170 applications for 575 properties, ultimately making awards on 52 applications totaling 198 properties. Properties on the Rolling Bid list are distinct from those sold through the more traditional Request for Proposal ("RFP") process and through the SCOPE program. These properties tend to have a lower tax assessed value and fall outside the designated strategic neighborhood action planning areas. The Rolling Bid properties provide opportunities for smaller scale developers interested in rehab or infill development and for property owners and community groups looking for expanded side-yards or community space. For more information on the process, click here.

Section 8 Comeback is Official I wanted to share some exciting news concerning Baltimore's Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8. Back in 2001, a scathing HUD audit referred to Baltimore's program as "barely functioning" and cited a long list of program deficiencies and financial irregularities that put thousands of Section 8 families and many Baltimore neighborhoods at risk. The audit called for a federal takeover of the "troubled" program and the immediate reimbursement of over $50 million in questionable expenses and unspent funds. While many experts suggested that we allow HUD to step in, Mayor O'Malley supported our efforts to keep the program and overhaul it from within. Since that time, we have worked hard to streamline operations and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. Along the way, we added 3,000 families to the program; improved customer service; tightened inspections and relocated to a new, fully accessible, customer friendly office. Today, I am happy to report that Baltimore's Section 8 comeback is official. In a recent letter, HUD lifted the program's "troubled" status, confirmed our perfect score on their annual program review, and congratulated staff for turning a once-defective program into a "high-performer". Baltimore's rededicated and refocused Housing Choice Voucher Program is already strengthening families and neighborhoods City wide and we look forward to building on these successes and improving customer service in the months ahead. Click here to view the Baltimore Sun story

Join the fight to save CDBG Recently, HUD announced an almost $4 million cut to Baltimore's four major grant programs. To minimize the damage caused by another federal budget cut, Mayor Martin O'Malley has committed over $4 million in City funds to cover these recent cuts. This $4 million is on top of the nearly $20 million in general and bond funds that will be coming our way this year and next to jumpstart the City's new $59.8 million Affordable Housing Program. These City funds will ensure that a host of vital community development programs and activities will continue and help us purchase and clear land for redevelopment. The Mayor's commitment will help Baltimore survive the 2006 cuts but it's still unclear how Baltimore will be affected next year. Click here to find out how you can help. Click here to read Baltimore Sun's recent story.