Summer of Stability: Ending Homelessness in Howard County

Meet Mary, a single mother of 5 residing in an affordable housing unit through the Help End Homelessness Howard County (HEHHC) program. Mary grew up in war-torn Liberia as it was beset by two civil wars between 1990 and 2003. She remembers her family using information they got from a radio to move from place to place, trying to avoid the chaotic violence fueled by poorly trained child soldiers used by both sides.

Mary, her parents and two siblings escaped from the country, surviving for a time in a refugee camp in Ghana, where everyone slept on the floor and food came from relief agencies. Eventually, the family found a way out and came to the U.S. seeking asylum as war refugees. Mary was 17 years old when she arrived in the U.S. in 2003.

When Mary came to Maryland in 2018, she and her children first stayed with her sister, sleeping on the floor once again. One year later, Mary found a three-bedroom apartment through the HEHHC program that gave her family much-needed stability. She now works full time caring for disabled adults at an adult day-care center, but her pay would not cover all her expenses without the rental support now provided by Bridges. With her eldest child in college and the remaining four living at home, the help Bridges provides beyond the rent support – gift cards, household essentials, and case management – is critical.

In May 2022, Bridges to Housing Stability was proud to inherit the program and its 5 properties rented to families earning very low income (generally below 30% of the Howard County median income) from the programs’ founding members at Kittamaqundi Community Church. In return, Bridges committed to running the program exactly as it was designed – by charging tenants no more than 30% of their income at entry for rent and utilities, and ensuring long-term affordable rents for these families earning very low-income.

But the funds received through rent are not enough to cover the costs of the HEHHC program. We rely on community members like you to help us fill the gap so that the families can remain stably housed and continue to receive the same level of service and affordable rent long-term. Sustaining the HEHHC program requires the support and generosity of the compassionate members of the Howard County community.

How You Can Make a Difference:

• $25: Can help provide essential household items to residents in the HEHHC program.
• $50: Can support residents in accessing educational and vocational training opportunities, empowering them to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
• $100: Can help maintain and improve the HEHHC units, ensuring that they remain safe, secure, and welcoming for all who call them home.
• $250: Can help cover the costs of utilities, allowing our residents to focus on their goals and aspirations without worrying about basic necessities.
• $500: Can provide critical case management services for each resident in the HEHHC program.

Every contribution, no matter the size, contributes to our shared goal of ending homelessness in Howard County. Together, we can build a community where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing and the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Your support is truly appreciated and makes all the difference.