FRP

Housing Maryland

LOCAL NON-PROFIT SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC HOUSING NETWORK

Towanda Evans believes important voices are ignored in the discussion on public housing. “It’s completely disconnected from the people who are doing the actual work,” says Evans, who serves as president of the Maryland Association for Supportive Housing (M.A.S.H.). While housing issues are often addressed by the state, the conversation is limited to government of cials rather than the individuals who provide and operate housing services. According to Evans, this disconnect is problematic and holds housing back.

“WE SHOULD BE AT THE TABLE WHERE FUNDING DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE.”

“IT’S A CYCLE WITHOUT PROGRESS.” -TOWANDA EVANS

-TOWANDA EVANS, PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

Limited Funds M.A.S.H. began as a result of government efforts to move away from the warehousing that can occur in public housing. It was funded by the Abell Foundation at rst, but hasn’t been able to receive additional funding since. Evans consistently works to gain support from other funders, like state sources, with little luck as of yet. “We have stats that show we get things done better for the people who really need it,” Evans says. “So I think we should be at the table where funding decisions are being made.” Functioning as a non-pro t, M.A.S.H. aims to help their clients and providers improve the state of housing in Maryland. The primary need of their providers is getting connected

C reating A Forc e Different opinions tend to create more well-rounded solutions, increasing diversity in programs and contributors is therefore vital to the process of improving public housing. Community outreach is at the core of M.A.S.H. and has helped them expand their pool of resources, allowing them to maximize their service for the individuals who need it. Family Recovery Program (FRP) is one of the key providers that M.A.S.H. partners with. They do referrals for FRP, giving housing to parents going through substance abuse recovery and their children.

to resources and nding new nancing streams that maintain a network that includes mental health, sober living and family housing programs. Evans’ current focus is on reforming the condition of shelters, which she believes aren’t doing enough to improve the lifestyles of the people who use them. Offering job training and career resources would help individuals advance nancially and nd permanent housing for themselves and their families once they leave a shelter. “There’s no push for them to get to the next level. Many of them just end up back in a shelter months later,” she says. “It’s a cycle without progress.”

On a personal level, Evans looks to FRP Executive Director Dr. Jocelyn Gainers as an advisor and mentor. “I can always go to Ms. Gainers for advice on clients I’m working with or how to facilitate a meeting to get the best results,” Evans shares. “She has a lot of experience and has always been a big supporter of our organization.” Support is exactly what the public housing system needs, within itself and from the outside community. An expansive network creates the strong force that is required to claim more state funding and create change for the individuals these programs serve.

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