Building PARKS Holistic Housing for Women

Sisterhood Agenda’s PARKS Holistic Housing is a mixed-income development.  When you look at how much you can afford to pay each month for shelter, most economists suggest a healthy budget allocates no more than 25% of your monthly income towards housing needs. Some of us may think it is an unrealistic goal, especially today, when rental rates are rising, not going down.  Some of us easily pay 50% or more to stay in a home where we are most comfortable.

If you are looking for a safe, eco-friendly, affordable home with green space, then PARKS Holistic Housing may be for you. Our development is designed to be affordable for regular working people who make 30% 50%, and 60% AMI, which is the Annual Median Income for the state. “Median” means average.

Contrary to popular belief, affordable housing can be for residents who make more than 30% AMI. Since our development is located in the State of Maryland, the income rates for Sisterhood Agenda’s affordable housing homes are specific to the State of Maryland. Let’s get into more detail with real numbers.

Maryland has one of the highest median incomes in the country.  Therefore, its AMI is already pretty high.  For example, according to the State of Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, where Sisterhood Agenda’s affordable housing project site is located in Baltimore County, at 60% AMI:

• The median household income is $122,200. 
• The Income Household Limit for a household for one person is $47,090.
• The maximum gross rent affordability for a one-person household is $1,177.   
• The Income Household Limit for a household with two people is $53,800.
• The maximum gross rent affordability for a two-person household is $1,345.
• The Income Household Limit for a household with three people is $60,520.
• The maximum gross rent affordability for a three-person household is $1,513.
• The Income Household Limit for a household with four people is $$67,230.
• The maximum gross rent affordability for a four-person household is $1,681.
• The Income Household Limit for a household with four people is $72,620.
• The maximum gross rent affordability for a five-person household is $1,816.

Of course, there are exceptions. Unlike most private developers, Sisterhood Agenda, Inc. is a nonprofit and community-based HUD-certified Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). Money is not our main priority because our initiatives are mission-driven.

PARKS Holistic Housing home applications are followed up with an interview because people are more than what they may seem on paper.  For example, women who are escaping abusive relationships, veterans, seniors, and others often have a story to tell about why their credit might not be perfect or why their need for housing is urgent. They may have a service animal or special needs that require special accommodation. Everyone is unique and deserves a nice home.

Public funds for housing, getting more and more difficult to secure, often have nothing to do with the value that residents add to a community, their capacity to be a good neighbor, or their economic stability. Furthermore, asking about a resident’s status with a government rental assistance program may constitute discriminatory landlord behavior that is contrary to fair housing rules and regulations. Plain and simple, accepting rental assistance programs like Section 8 or housing vouchers is the law.

Calling Sisterhood Agenda’s PARKS Holistic Housing “Section 8” or “public” housing is inaccurate, inappropriate, defamatory, and even harmful because it stigmatizes residents and can make them feel “less than” for no reason. For us, one thing is very clear:

Affordable housing is sustainable housing. And it is for “regular” people.”

As you can see from the list of income limits, such as $60,520 for a three-person home, many AMI household incomes are considered middle-class, not lower-income or poverty-level incomes. People work hard at highly skilled and important jobs. Many of them are now demanding home opportunities that also fit their needs and budget.

For Sisterhood Agenda, Inc., helping the housing supply meet current housing demand makes sense.

We can make housing affordability and sustainability a priority for all as goals in 2026!

In the Spirit of Sisterhood,
Angela D. Coleman, MBA, CNM
Sisterhood Agenda, Inc.

Links:

• PARKS Holistic Housing Video