At the start of the new year, members of The Community Foundation’s Montgomery County Advisory Board, staff, and Sharing Montgomery donors visited with community partners to talk about the future of housing and the fight against homelessness in Montgomery County.
“The housing crisis is one of the biggest issues facing families in our community,” shared Anna Hargrave, Executive Director of The Community Foundation in Montgomery County. “We’re excited to learn from our partners about how we can work together to ensure everyone has a place to call home.”
As one of the most affluent and fastest growing counties in the region, housing has long been a challenge in Montgomery County. However, as housing prices and inflation have risen in recent months, many residents – particularly those on the margins – have found it increasingly difficult to keep a roof over their heads.
The 2024 Point in Time count by the Metropolitan Council on Governments found that more than 1,100 people in Montgomery County were homeless. The number represents a 20% increase from the previous year – including a 47% increase in homelessness among families.
“This isn’t a data problem – it’s a people problem,” explained Claudia Wilson Randall, when asked about the numbers. Randall is the Executive Director of the Community Development Network of Maryland – a community development advocacy group that heads the Montgomery Housing Alliance (MHA).
“We have lots of data about the housing shortages in Maryland – what we need are individuals who are committed to investing in housing solutions that break down some of the barriers in our communities.”
Jennifer Olney moderates a panel discussion with Claudia Wilson Randall and Mary Kolar from the Community Development Network of Maryland
Randall was joined by her colleague, Mary Kolar – the Network’s organizer in Montgomery County, and The Community Foundation’s Jennifer Olney, Senior Program Officer for The Partnership to End Homelessness who moderated the discussion.
The group started off by outlining the benefits of Housing First – a nationally recognized strategy that prioritizes eliminating barriers to housing for those experiencing homelessness.
“Housing First is the anchor solution for a lot of the issues being faced in our community,” Kolar added
“Whether an individual is struggling with food insecurity, employment, or mental or physical health challenges – if we can get them housed, we can give them a foundation to build off; a safe and stable environment where they can grow and get the support they need.”
Some examples of this in Montgomery County include the Housing Initiative Program (HIP), Rapid Rehousing (RRH) and Short Term Housing and Resolution Program (SHARP), which provide resources including rent subsidies and security deposits to lower the economic barriers to housing. The programs also connect residents with case management (based on the individual’s level of need).
“When it comes to supportive housing, not everyone needs the same level of resources,” Olney pointed out. “Some people just need help covering rent for a month or two; others may need more support.”
“Housing First is about matching the right resources with the right needs.”
Jennifer Olney, Senior Program Officer for The Partnership to End Homelessness with Claudia Wilson Randall, Executive Director of the Community Development Network of Maryland
Some programs like SHARP have been extremely successful, Kolar pointed out. According to the MHA, 79 percent of individuals who enter the SHARP program are still stably housed a year later. For families, that success rate is even higher – 97 percent.
However, as the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness continues to rise, advocates like the MHA and the Community Development Network of Maryland have raised the alarm about the need for more funding and support for those on the margins.
“Eighty-eight percent of renters in Montgomery County are one emergency away from eviction,” Kolar explained. “We need more housing that meets the needs of low-income families.”
“People who need affordable housing aren’t invisible,” Randall added. “They’re all around us, every day, all day.”
“If we want to become a stronger county and grow the Maryland economy, we need to make sure we’re considering their basic needs. Our North Star needs to be higher, brighter, and pointing to a better place.”
When asked what role philanthropy should play, Randall and Kolar explained the importance of funding and supporting advocacy efforts to help connect philanthropy to impact.
“Whether we donate our time, our resources, or our expertise, we are all advocates,” Randall explained. “And as advocates, we do not have to resign ourselves to living in a world where people are homeless. We need to remind ourselves, our community members, and our elected officials, that housing needs to be a priority.”
Randall and Kolar were followed by Courtney Hall, CEO of Interfaith Works, and Abe Schuchman, CEO of Housing Unlimited, two of the leading service providers for individuals experiencing homelessness in Montgomery County.
Anna Hargrave moderates a panel with Claudia Wilson Randall and Mary Kolar (Community Development Network of Maryland), Courtney Hall (Interfaith Works) and Abe Schuchman (Housing Unlimited)
Hall began by echoing some of the unsettling trends from the latest Point in Time Count – particularly the increase in homelessness cases among seniors– many of whom have appeared at one of the four shelters that Interfaith Works operates across the county.
“Shelters are not a sustainable solution to address homelessness,” Hall shared.
Interfaith Works is one of the few service providers in the county that operates shelters and provides permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness (in addition to a wide range of other services).
“We know that for every dollar that we invest in programs like permanent supportive housing and Housing First, society saves $1.44.”
“In a community like ours where the cost of living for a middle-class family is so high, we really can’t afford to not make smarter investments when it comes to our housing system,” Schuchman agreed.
Housing Unlimited provides independent housing for 253 adults in mental health recovery –including many individuals transitioning from homelessness–thanks in part to a partnership with the county that caps rent for residents at 1/3 of their income. Right now, over 200 people are on the waitlist for the program.
“There’s a big stereotype that people who are homeless aren’t working or don’t want to work,” Schuchman explained. “That is simply not the case. The reality is that most people are working, sometimes 2-3 jobs. It’s just not enough to get by.”
Schuchman also addressed stigmas that those experiencing homelessness often face related to mental health challenges. He encouraged listeners to acknowledge the tenacity those individuals demonstrate as they work towards stability.
“We really need to remember and respect the integrity and complexity of people’s lives when we talk about these issues.”
While recognizing the challenges ahead, the panelists concluded by sharing what brings them hope.
“I think it’s important to highlight that Montgomery County’s elected officials are really receptive to having these conversations,” Olney said. “They have been extremely proactive and willing to invest in Housing First; we just need to remind them that it must continue to be a top priority.”
“We have an opportunity to be a shining example of inclusionary housing for the country, here in Montgomery County,” Hall shared. “With your continued support – funding advocacy, supporting critical services, meeting with local officials, and leading discussions like this one – we can work towards a community where everyone has a place to call home.”
For more information on how you can support housing efforts in Montgomery County, contact Anna Hargrave at [email protected].
For more information about Permanent Supportive Housing, Housing First, and other initiatives to end homelessness, visit https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org/partnership-to-end-homelessness