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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Project JumpStart, Inc. and Housing Authority of Baltimore City Partnership Builds Construction Career Pathways for Baltimore Residents

BALTIMORE – A newly formed partnership between Project JumpStart, Inc. (PJSI) and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City is providing Baltimore residents with skilled training to create lasting careers in the construction industry.

The partnership provides HABC residents with access to Project JumpStart’s comprehensive pre-apprenticeship training, case management, and job placement support. Graduates will be connected to local contractors and construction firms offering real employment opportunities that help residents earn a living wage while contributing to Baltimore’s growth.

“HABC is committed to creating pathways to self-sufficiency for our residents. Partnering with Project JumpStart helps connect our residents to meaningful work that builds not just careers but communities,” said Janet Abrahams, President and CEO of HABC.

The collaboration unites HABC’s mission of economic empowerment with Project JumpStart’s proven record of connecting Baltimoreans to high-demand jobs in the skilled trades. Together, they’re creating a direct link between residents ready to work and contractors eager to hire motivated, trained talent from the communities where they live and build.

“This partnership is an exciting step forward in our shared mission to empower Baltimore residents with the tools to build stable, rewarding careers,” said Jimmy Stewart, Executive Director of Project JumpStart, Inc. “By working together with HABC, we’re strengthening the pipeline between community-based talent and the region’s growing construction industry.”

Residents interested in construction careers are encouraged to reach out now to learn how to enroll in upcoming training programs. Local contractors and vendors are also invited to identify job opportunities for qualified HABC residents, helping strengthen the workforce and the neighborhoods they serve.

The first participants under this partnership are already seeing positive results earning certifications, securing apprenticeships, and starting construction careers that promise long-term stability and growth.

This initiative also complements HABC’s Getting Ready for Opportunities to Work (GROW) program, which provides residents with workplace readiness, skills training, and support to achieve self-sufficiency. Residents can participate in GROW while engaging with Project JumpStart’s training, further expanding pathways to employment and economic mobility.

“We’re proud to be part of getting Baltimore back to work and building the neighborhoods where we all live,” said Abrahams.

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About Project JumpStart, Inc.
Project JumpStart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development organization preparing Baltimore residents for successful careers in construction and related industries. Since 2006, PJSI has helped hundreds of graduates gain skills, credentials, and employment with local contractors and construction partners.

About the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC)
The Housing Authority of Baltimore City provides quality affordable housing and supportive services to more than 20,000 families across Baltimore. Through initiatives that promote education, employment, and economic empowerment, HABC is building stronger, self-sufficient communities and creating opportunities for residents to thrive.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 17, 2025

Housing Authority of Baltimore City Boosts New Housing Opportunities for Low-Income Families in 2025

1,870 Housing Choice Vouchers were issued to those most in need

BALTIMORE – As the need for affordable housing rises nationwide, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) distributed 1,870 new housing vouchers over the past year to assist households most in need of rental affordability.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), the federally-assisted Section 8 program, helps eligible families, seniors, and people with disabilities pay for housing by subsidizing a portion of their monthly rent, allowing them to choose housing that best fits their needs. Along with issuing new housing vouchers, HABC processed 2,063 new admissions in 2025 for individuals who found housing to use their vouchers, marking a 33% increase over last year.

In addition, HABC reached its goal of leasing 90% of the total Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers over the last year. The program provides rental assistance for homeless Veterans who are receiving clinical services by the Department of Veterans Affairs

“We continue to address Baltimore’s growing need for affordable housing by expanding access to public housing and rental assistance,” said Janet Abrahams, HABC’s President and CEO. “Our efforts to develop additional housing units and expand voucher-based housing options are contributing to significant progress in Baltimore’s response to the affordable housing crisis.”

Eligible individuals are required to apply for housing vouchers and be added to the waiting list before a voucher can be issued. Over the years, HABC has invested resources to streamline and update its waiting lists, ensuring vouchers reach those with the greatest need. 

“We measure success through the real impact we make in connecting low-income individuals and families to quality, affordable housing,” said Abrahams. “Our team is deeply committed to the mission and works through daily challenges to deliver real housing solutions.”

Many of HABC’s new housing opportunities are driven by ongoing Perkins Somerset Oldtown (PSO) development progression. Hundreds of new low-income and affordable units have been delivered to date through the PSO revitalization project. All phases are scheduled to be completed by 2028. Once finished, it will provide Baltimore with 1,651 new mixed-income units across the entire footprint.

“HABC could not complete a single phase of the PSO project without its development and community partners,” said Abrahams. “For the past seven years, these collaborative public-private partnerships have brought hundreds of thousands of dollars in capital investments to support the creation of much-needed housing in Baltimore. It has become a national model to addressing the affordable housing crisis.”

The PSO transformation also includes new recreational parks, the construction of the new City Spring elementary school and many commercial opportunities. 

“There’s still much to be done, and we look forward to providing additional housing opportunities for Baltimore residents in 2026,” said Abrahams.

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About the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC)

The Housing Authority of Baltimore City provides quality affordable housing and supportive services to more than 20,000 families across Baltimore. Through initiatives that promote education, employment, and economic empowerment, HABC is building stronger, self-sufficient communities and creating opportunities for residents to thrive.