Last updated on June 23, 2009

The Women's Housing Coalition provides safe, permanent affordable housing with supportive services to formerly homeless women with disabilities, and families.

Description:
Founded in 1979, the WHC has been at the forefront in the development of housing options and services to low-income and homeless women. The WHC arose out of a grassroots coalition of women who organized around the lack of services for homeless women in Baltimore City. Their work resulted in the opening of the first emergency shelter for women - Corner House at the YWCA. Since then, the WHC has expanded over the past twenty-eight years in to 5 housing programs and four properties. All have rental subsidy and supportive services through a case management model. Our residents stay with us an average of 2-3 years; 95-90% of our residents leave successfully, many into market rate housing.

History:
The WHC opened the first Transitional Housing Program for women in Baltimore City in 1982. We provided comprehensive counseling and case management services to the homeless and low-income women in this program for over 20 years. In 1990, the WHC opened the Calverton, Maryland's first SRO building for women. The Calverton offers permanent affordable housing to very low income and disable women and has become a model for housing this population. This 14 unit building, financed with low income housing tax credits was one of the very first of its kind in Maryland using the LIHTC. Since 1996, the WHC has provided supportive services and administered Shelter Plus Care rental assistance to 25 low income formerly homeless women and families living in scattered site apartments throughout Baltimore City. The WHC has also owned and operated two lead safe houses for the provision of temporary housing to families whose children have suffered from lead poisoning. In 2000, the WHC opened our second SRO residence, The Bennett House. Bennett provides permanent housing and supportive services to 29 very low-income women with disabilities. In 2003, the WHC began operation of the Susanna Wesley House,a permanent housing program for homeless families. Wesley House serves nine formerly homeless families and provides these women and children with the services and support they need to regain their independence. In the fall of 2008, the WHC will open the Margaret Jenkins House, a 22 unit SRO for formerly homeless women with disabilities. Again, this is an historic building which after renovation will be another asset in Baltimore.

Contact people:

Joann Levy, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Eleanor Fried, Program Director, (phone), (email) Wendy Sager, Program Manager, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (410) 235-9460

Address:

119 East 25th Street Baltimore, MD 21218 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.womenshousing.org

Directions:

83 South to Druid Park Lake Drive/28th Street Exit. Follow 28th to St. Paul Stree and make a right. Make a left on 25th Street. The Calverton is on the corner of 25th and Calvert Streets.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: none   Nearest Bus Stop: St. Paul and 25th, 2 minute walk

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