Housing Policy in Annapolis Neighborhoods

I live one neighborhood over from the Robinwood community, which was built in 1970 during a period called “Urban Renewal” or, as Elizamae Robinson called it in our Community Scoop interview, “Urban Removal.” That’s when the Whitmore Garage and government buildings replaced 33 businesses and many homes in the “Old 4th Ward”, once the vibrant core of Annapolis's African American community.

Robinwood, and public housing in general, is a safety net for those who can’t afford market-rate housing. But in the minds of many people, “public housing” has a negative stereotype and raises concerns about crime and social problems.

Recently, when I visited Robinwood with my friend Debrorah Spencer, a nurse who grew up and raised a daughter there, residents expressed unhappiness with the stigma of public housing and voiced their wishes for a better life. Debrorah often returns to visit friends and bring treats to the community, like popsicles. As she and I went door to door, folks we talked with made clear that their goals are like anyone’s: a better life for their kids, an opportunity to live and work in safe surroundings, more trees and a cleaner environment, and easier ways to get into town, including on foot and by bicycle.

Robinwood, with about 150 units, is one of four public housing properties run by the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis. This independent agency has been grappling with financial woes, staff shortages, and legal challenges, and now faces 50% funding cuts from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). According to a recent Time article, HUD is being cut drastically, including staff levels and grants for fair and affordable housing. It’s not an easy time for public housing.

I previously volunteered with the South of Forest Drive (SOFO) organization to clean up and beautify the Robinwood entrance. I visit whenever possible and have joined Pastor Sheryl Menendez to distribute bags of food she gets from the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. I often ask myself, how can we do better for these residents? And how can we support the many who want a better life?

I don’t have all the answers, so I have been meeting with local experts. As a start, I’m thinking about short and long-term solutions to three of the most pressing issues impacting low-income housing; each solution would be pursued in collaboration with City residents, HACA, and County, State, and Federal governments:

• Cataloguing, monitoring, and addressing deferred maintenance issues; identifying trusted contractors who can be dispatched timely; speeding up the licensing process; and wisely allocating funds.

• Addressing zoning issues that stifle investment and crafting covenants that enforce asset upkeep and ongoing capital expenditures.

• Engaging for-profit and non-profit development professionals to develop deal structures that meet residents’ needs and improve the City's public housing assets.

Housing and well-being are deeply connected, and as Mayor, I will do my best to find workable solutions and uplift the lives of every community.

Warm regards,

Jared

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