With help from the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, a 164-unit community in Baltimore has received much-needed renovations, ensuring safe and affordable housing for low-income seniors and households with disabilities.

Originally built in 1985, The Allendale in Baltimore recently underwent a substantial rehab. In addition to unit and community space updates, the exterior was freshened through a new color scheme and a coating was applied to the building to prevent water infiltration.
Jeffrey Sauers Originally built in 1985, The Allendale in Baltimore recently underwent a substantial rehab. In addition to unit and community space updates, the exterior was freshened through a new color scheme and a coating was applied to the building to prevent water infiltration.

The Allendale, a 12-story building originally constructed in 1985, had received limited capital improvements over the past three decades. Mid-Atlantic developer Enterprise Homes partnered with Baltimore Affordable Housing Development, an affiliate of the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, on the rehabilitation.

All of the units were upgraded with energy-efficient appliances; new kitchen cabinets, windows, and doors; updates to the bathrooms, and fresh paint. A new game room and library, computer room, and fitness room were added, and the community room was renovated. In addition, all major utility systems were updated.

During the renovations, at least 20% of the units were vacant during construction so residents could be relocated within the building. The Allendale is now fully leased.

Partners celebrated the reopening of the building earlier in May. The Allendale, which is located in the Allendale neighborhood, is the first building in Baltimore to receive full renovations through the RAD program.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s RAD program enables public housing agencies to leverage public and private funds to reinvest in the public housing stock, which suffers from a significant backlog of capital improvements.

“The excitement of The Allendale’s residents as they moved into the renovated apartments highlights the importance of RAD,” said Chickie Grayson, president and CEO of Enterprise Homes. “As the first building in Baltimore to benefit from RAD, The Allendale also offers a model for other public housing redevelopments. Enterprise Homes is proud to have helped preserve these vital units of affordable housing.”

The $27 million redevelopment leveraged financing from the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development, Wells Fargo—which was Federal Housing Administration insured, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, and Enterprise Community Investment.

Additional partners include Marks, Thomas Architects as the architect and Harkins Builders as the contractor. Winn Management serves as the property manager.