Press Release
For immediate release
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake Selected by Johns Hopkins University to Build Eight New Homes in East Baltimore
HFHC Strengthening East Baltimore Through Investment, Partnership, and Community Revitalization
BALTIMORE, MD — Jan 2026 — Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake (Habitat Chesapeake) is pleased to announce its selection by Johns Hopkins University (JHU) to develop and construct eight new homes along the 600 block of North Castle Street in East Baltimore and fully renovate an existing home on nearby McElderry Street. These projects reflect a major investment that supports Habitat Chesapeake’s mission of building vibrant communities and affordable homes.
JHU selected Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake because of its vision for the project and comprehensive redevelopment approach in communities such as Milton-Montford, North Patterson Park, Middle East, McElderry Park, and CARE. The 16 vacant lots and one existing vacant home were sold for $1000 each. The Castle Street homes are planned as affordable, modern, energy-efficient homes, each with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two designated off-street parking spaces.
“We were thrilled to select Habitat Chesapeake for this development which will turn a previously vacant lot into beautiful new homes,” said Maria Harris Tildon, Vice President for Government, Community, and Economic Partnerships at Johns Hopkins University and Medicine. “This is a meaningful investment in our community and in the housing sector that will, in turn, provide local families with economic opportunity.”
Located steps from the Johns Hopkins Hospital campus and the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the project is expected to generate broad interest among prospective homebuyers.
“Habitat Chesapeake is honored to be selected by Johns Hopkins for this important partnership in East Baltimore. For nearly 45 years, our mission has been to help residents of the Greater Baltimore area achieve stability through affordable homeownership, and this collaboration strengthens that work,” said Mike Posko, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake.
Habitat Chesapeake’s model brings volunteers, donors, corporate partners, and future homeowners together to make a visible difference in the community. Habitat will select and educate future homeowners for long-term success, ensuring they are ready to thrive as they purchase and maintain their homes, which includes the opportunity to purchase homes with a zero percent equivalent mortgage.
State Senator Cory McCray, whose district includes the Castle Street area, has championed reinvestment in East Baltimore and applauded the collaboration between Habitat Chesapeake and Johns Hopkins.
Senator McCray highlighted the importance of strong institutional partnerships in advancing community development efforts in East Baltimore.
“This is what it looks like when partnership is done with intention. Johns Hopkins choosing to invest in the neighborhoods that surround its campus matters, and Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake knows how to turn that investment into something people can feel—ownership, stability, and legacy. I’ve seen it in the 4×4, Orchard Ridge, and Milton-Montford, and now on the 600 block of Castle Street. This is how families plant roots, how blocks come back to life, and how we grow Baltimore—focused and together.”
About Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is a nonprofit organization that builds, rehabs, and sells homes to families with affordable mortgages. Serving Central Maryland since 1982, Habitat Chesapeake has completed more than 800 homes, helping individuals and families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.
Press Contact:
Courtney Hancock | Associate Director of Communications
443-297-5221| chancock@habitatchesapeake.org
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