Baltimore homeowners waiting for repair assistance face a difficult reality: the city is handling nearly 6,000 requests on a smaller budget after federal aid ended.
That leaves thousands of residents waiting at a time when public investment in safer, healthier housing could make a major difference for families and neighborhoods.
Here’s what to know
Spotlight on Maryland reported that Baltimore’s Housing Rehabilitation and Repairs Program has $5.8 million to work with this fiscal year, roughly $1.1 million less than last year, when 409 households received help. City officials say the drop traces back to the American Rescue Plan Act, the pandemic-era federal program that propped up the city’s budget until its funding ran out.
City figures show more than 1,500 applications have advanced since January, with 4,431 pre-applications still in the queue awaiting review. Low- or moderate-income households can use the program for repairs to essentials like heating, plumbing, and roofing, typically costing $20,000 to $50,000 per project.
More background
At roughly $20,000 per repair, the smaller budget could stretch to about 290 households, well below the 409 it helped last year, though some projects cost less and could let the program reach more people…