October 19, 2015 - The Maryland Department of Disabilities was proud to present The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation a Governor's citation at Rivers Edge Apartments and Studio for the Arts in Salisbury on Monday. The Foundation was recognized for their commitment to increased affordable housing for low income Marylanders with disabilities. The Department of Disabilities has partnered with the foundation to form the The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation's Affordable Rental Housing Opportunities Initiative for Persons with Disabilities. This initiative was created by building upon the strengths of the foundation and the State's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC). This initiative seeks to increase accessible, affordable, and independent housing opportunities in the community.
Funding for eligible projects under this initiative includes a $2 million grant from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and financial assistance from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through its Multifamily Rental Housing Program. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) have partnered to qualify eligible households, refer potential tenants to property managers, and to ensure that these units remain occupied.
The units at Rivers Edge represent a unique combination of artist preference apartment homes and fully accessible units offered under the Weinberg program. The development was created on a piece of property which was formerly an unfinished construction of condominiums which lay vacant for some time before the project's inception. The project not only provides homes for those most in need but also reinvigorated a formerly unused space at the water's edge in Salisbury.
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation continues to change Maryland for the better by showing their commitment to increasing affordable housing in Maryland and assisting many residents toward a more economically stable future. The Department joined staff from the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Bay Area CIL, the Developmental Disabilities Administration, Osprey Property, Inc., United Needs and Abilities, Wicomico County, and Foundations Care Management to recognize The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and present the citation. Secretary Beatty was pleased to welcome several elected officials and their representatives including City Councilman,Tim Spies; along with representatives from Congressman Harris, Senator Mathias, Delegate Anderton, and Mayor Ireton's offices.
To read more about this initiative and other ways the Department of Disabilities is working to increase affordable housing opportunities in Maryland please go to our website at www.mdod.maryland.gov.
City Councilman Tim Spies addresses the crowd during the citation presentation.