Baltimore, MD – The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) in Baltimore announced the acquisition of two hotel properties funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) as a strategic move to combat the rising homelessness due to the nationwide housing crisis.
This initiative, underpinned by ARPA funds, marks a significant enhancement of the city’s efforts to offer housing stability, emergency shelter, and supportive services to its homeless population. Mayor Brandon M. Scott highlighted the collaborative effort among various city departments to secure this deal, which aims to bolster the city’s emergency shelter capacity significantly.
Mayor Scott and MOHS Director Ernestina Simmons underscored the critical need for such measures in light of the affordable housing shortage contributing to homelessness. This purchase is not only aimed at addressing immediate shelter needs but also at setting a foundation for future permanent supportive housing solutions for Baltimore’s most vulnerable citizens.
This action follows the city’s initiative started in 2020, which rented hotel spaces as an alternative to overcrowded shelters, a necessary adaptation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s exacerbation of housing and healthcare disparities among those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.