
Baltimore is charting a new course toward addressing homelessness with a project that promises to blend housing stability and vital support services. Mayor Brandon M. Scott, the Mayor's Office of Homeless Services (MOHS), and the Department of Real Estate have announced the latest step in this initiative: the awarding of a Permanent Supportive Housing Hotels Conversion RFP to the Episcopal Housing Corporation, Health Care for the Homeless, HCH Real Estate Co., and Beacon Communities Development, LLC. As reported by the City of Baltimore, the project, Sojourner Place at the Falls, aims to revamp two existing hotels into affordable housing units complete with on-site wraparound support.
Mayor's Office has emphasized its commitment to "building more permanent supportive housing," noting its crucial role in offering "safe, low barrier housing options." The initiative will convert the Sleep Inn & Suites at 301 Fallsway and the Holiday Inn Express at 221 N. Gay Street, including an adjacent lot. Specifics of this grand plan were detailed further, revealing an ambitious goal for creating 155 units of affordable housing, with an additional component: a 50-unit medical respite center for individuals recovering from hospitalization.
The awarded proposal, which scored the highest among submissions, promises to deliver comprehensive services such as individualized plans, case management, medical screenings, mental health services, and workforce development. The application's strength lies in its vision and an innovative approach to bolster service provision in Baltimore. "It's a very exciting day," Episcopal Housing Corporation Executive Director Dan McCarthy stated, per the city's press release.
As detailed by the city's press release, MOHS believes this initiative will greatly improve how the city addresses homelessness. MOHS Executive Director Ernestina Simmons highlighted the collaboration: "Together, we are improving our homeless response system and charting a path for repeatable success that puts us closer to making homelessness rare and brief in Baltimore City." Health Care for the Homeless CEO Kevin Lindamood emphasized the importance of stable housing, saying, "Only housing ends homelessness." The project's proximity to a clinic offering medical, behavioral, and dental care demonstrates a commitment to housing and healthcare for Baltimore's residents.