Chesapeake Neighbors, an Arc Central Chesapeake Region company committed to providing safe, accessible, and affordable housing in Maryland, is pleased to announce the purchase of Primrose House in Historic Easton, Maryland.

“There is nowhere in Maryland that has enough affordable housing,” said Judi Olinger, Executive Director, Chesapeake Neighbors. “We are excited to be able to offer this resource to the community, and to be a part of the solution to the housing crisis.”

This purchase is the first of several new development and housing opportunities that Chesapeake Neighbors plans to unveil over the next year on the Mid-shore. Chesapeake Neighbors currently owns and operates over 60 units throughout Maryland, with a goal of operating over 160 units by 2025.

“We are actively growing the number of affordable units we offer to the community. While we’re proud to support Easton with these 10-units of affordable housing, we need to do more,” said Olinger. “Over the next two years, we plan to bring an additional 40 units to market. Primrose House is the first critical step in making that happen.”

Primrose House holds historical significance and is minutes from Downtown Easton, giving tenants access to all the community has to offer—shopping, dining and attractions. The property currently offers 10-units of affordable housing in a historic, market-rate neighborhood, and has room for further expansion to include additional units over time. Chesapeake Neighbors is committed to ensuring the integrity and historical value of the building(s) are maintained over time.

As Chesapeake Neighbors continues to develop properties throughout the region, they are prioritizing opportunities in the heart of the community, close to public transportation and amenities.

Chesapeake Neighbors, an Arc Central Chesapeake Region company committed to providing safe, accessible, and affordable housing in Maryland, and Board Chair Jonathon Rondeau are pleased to welcome Meredith Wimbrow to the Chesapeake Neighbors board of directors.

“We are excited to welcome Meredith to our team,” said Judi Olinger, Executive Director of Chesapeake Neighbors. “Her years of experience in both the public and private sectors lend her a unique perspective on our organization’s work.”

As a member of the BUILD-PAC team with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Meredith is familiar with the key players in the housing world, the inner workings of fundraising efforts, and the issues at the forefront of the housing sector. Prior to NAHB, Meredith was the Executive Assistant to Governor Larry Hogan’s Chief of Staff and worked for Governor Hogan’s campaign, though her interest in housing began at MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services where she learned the inner workings of commercial leases and sales negotiations.

“I am eager to share my knowledge of business administration, marketing, and housing trends with the Chesapeake Neighbors board of directors and gain a broader sense of how affordable housing works while contributing to Chesapeake Neighbors’ future,” said Meredith.

Meredith is committed to the work of affordable housing and her participation on the Chesapeake Neighbors board of directors will be invaluable to the organization’s mission of increasing access to housing for all Marylanders.

 

About Chesapeake Neighbors

Chesapeake Neighbors was founded in 2007 by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region to provide, promote and support safe, affordable, and accessible housing for people and families in need. What started with one house in Anne Arundel County has grown to over 50 owned and managed, affordable, accessible single and multifamily units across Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Learn more at https://chesapeakeneighbors.org/.

Chesapeake Neighbors congratulates Judi Olinger, Executive Director, on her acceptance to the Shore Leadership Class of 2022. Over the course of the year, Judi will complete the hands-on professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of local business and community leaders on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Having spent her career in affordable housing, Judi understands the issues related to someone’s ability to afford high-quality, reasonably priced housing are multi-faceted and complex, especially on the Eastern Shore. “Of course, access to housing includes access to necessities like clean water and reliable internet, but what about access to land, nature, and community? What about homes that are fully accessible, aesthetically pleasing, and restful?” says Judi. “Affordable housing can and must do more than provide people with the bare minimum.”

Participating in Shore Leadership will give Judi the opportunity to connect with other colleagues, where she will be able to share her invaluable experience and engage in creative solutions to address the housing crisis. “At Chesapeake Neighbors, we are set on reimagining the future of affordable housing in Maryland,” says Judi, “and I am excited to meet fellow leaders who are ready to do more for the low-income community on the Eastern Shore.”

Under Judi’s leadership, Chesapeake Neighbors has seen incredible growth in funding, grants, and properties under management, and is poised to add 100 new units to their portfolio within the next three years. Fair, safe, affordable housing must be a right for all Maryland residents, a mindset that Judi embodies and is eager to share with her Shore Leadership classmates.

Congratulations to Judi on this recognition of her leadership and success in her career, along with all other incoming members of the Shore Leadership Class of 2022.

 

About Shore Leadership

Shore Leadership is a professional development program dedicated to enhancing the quality of life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Shore Leadership participants interface with community leaders and experts from organizations and institutions that shape the region’s structure and culture. Participants meet once monthly to focus on key topics of regional interest. Shore Leadership has been facilitating positive change in the region since 1997.  To learn more, please visit www.shoreleadership.org.

 

Media Contact: Talon J. Sachs
Vice President of Strategic Communication for The Arc
410.384.4942 | tsachs@thearccr.org

Chesapeake Neighbors Announces New Board Members

SEVERN, MD (January 6, 2022) — Chesapeake Neighbors, an Arc Central Chesapeake Region company committed to providing safe, accessible, and affordable housing in Maryland, and Board Chair Laura Carr, are pleased to welcome Tiffany Harrison, Amber Hayden, and Mitchell Wilson to its board of directors.

“We are excited to welcome Tiffany, Amber, and Mitchell to our team,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. “Tiffany, Amber, and Mitchell are all representatives of the community we support. We look forward to them contributing their unique perspectives and voices to Chesapeake Neighbors’ board as we continue to expand safe, affordable and accessible housing opportunities for all.”

Tiffany is an independent woman who has just become a Chesapeake Neighbors resident and is excited to be living on her own. As a person who spent a considerable amount of time locating affordable housing, Tiffany’s experience and what it meant to her will be invaluable to our mission.

Amber has been a Chesapeake Neighbors tenant for a year. Prior to that, she had been living with her family but after expressing an interest in working towards greater independence, she chose to live with a long-time friend who she has known for years and an additional roommate. Amber is a strong self-advocate, and she is looking forward to getting more involved with Chesapeake Neighbors.

Mitchell is currently supported by The Arc in both Workforce Development and Day Services (when he isn’t working). Mitchell likes to be involved in his community and although he is currently living with family, he looks forward to having his own space in the future. His election to the Chesapeake Neighbors board is a way for him to get a broader sense of how affordable housing works and contribute to Chesapeake Neighbors’ future.

About Chesapeake Neighbors

Chesapeake Neighbors was founded in 2007 by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region to provide, promote and support safe, affordable, and accessible housing for people and families in need. What started with one house in Anne Arundel County has grown to over 50 owned and managed, affordable, accessible single and multifamily units across Anne Arundel County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Learn more at https://chesapeakeneighbors.org/.