July 19, 2010
LNYW program showcases Patterson Park, Highlandtown neighborhoods
Johns Hopkins’ Live Near Your Work program, in conjunction with the Southeast Development Corp., will this month showcase homes and amenities in the Patterson Park and Highlandtown neighborhoods. At each event, eligible Johns Hopkins employees will learn how they can apply for LNYW grants, as well as other grants and financial assistance.
The open house and home tour of Patterson Park is planned for 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, and will begin in the home of Steve Gondol and Marisa Vilardo, located at 2836 E. Baltimore St. The couple recently completed a total “green” renovation of their expansive brick townhouse, which faces the park. They used innovative financing from Healthy Neighborhoods to complete their renovation.
The community surrounds the 300-acre Patterson Park—named Baltimore’s best park by City Paper—which offers ball fields, an ice skating rink, running and biking paths, a fishing pond, a tot lot and tennis courts. It is also the site for the city’s ethnic festivals, Kinetic Sculpture Race, Bike Jam, Movies in the Park, PNC Concert Series and more.
At the open house, Johns Hopkins’ LNYW program coordinator will explain how eligible employees can apply for up to $6,000 in LNYW grants, available to home buyers as down payment or closing cost assistance. Attendees will also learn how they can qualify for low-interest Healthy Neighborhoods loans, a Healthy Neighborhoods rehab grant, the Healthy Neighborhoods Direct Purchase Program (up to $25,000 for purchasing foreclosed or abandoned homes), Federal Home Loan Bank down-payment assistance and other home-buying incentives.
A short tour of the neighborhood will include “showcase” homes and several houses now on the market. Tours will begin at 6 p.m. with a self-guided tour map provided.
On Saturday, July 31, the focus is on Highlandtown, where the 10 a.m. to noon program begins with breakfast in the farmers market located in the 3500 block of Bank Street, at Conkling Street.
Highlandtown is home to generations of immigrant families (Southern and Eastern Europeans in the 20th century, Central and South Americans in the 21st) and a growing creative class, drawn by the neighborhood’s designation as an Arts and Entertainment District.
At the breakfast, exclusively for Johns Hopkins employees, attendees will learn more about home buying in Highlandtown, including how they may qualify for a $2,500 Johns Hopkins LNYW grant, to be used toward down payment or closing cost assistance, and how to qualify for low-interest Healthy Neighborhoods loans, a Healthy Neighborhoods rehab grant, Federal Home Loan Bank down-payment assistance and other home-buying incentives.
A short tour of homes in the neighborhood will begin at 10:30 and include “showcase” homes and several houses now on the market. A self-guided tour map will be provided.
RSVPs are not necessary, but in order for organizers to plan appropriately, employees are asked to call Sandy Jenkins, Johns Hopkins’ LNYW program coordinator, at 443-997-7000.