Baltimore’s neighborhoods are the heart of the city, but many have long struggled with systemic inequities, high vacancy rates, and disinvestment. Community development corporations (CDCs) across the city play a critical role addressing these challenges by creating affordable housing, revitalizing communities, and empowering residents. In 2022, Enterprise launched the Baltimore CDC Neighborhood Exchange to support a cohort of organizations driving transformational change in historically redlined communities.

Thanks to funders like the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, we’re supporting 12 CDCs with peer learning sessions, strategic advocacy discussions, and funding opportunities to support real estate development and neighborhood stabilization.

The Organizations Leading Change:

These 12 organizations are addressing challenges like vacancy and affordability while laying the groundwork for stronger, more equitable neighborhoods. With support from the Weinberg Foundation, Enterprise was able to grant $820,000 to CDCs to support early-stage predevelopment needs, such as hiring real estate consultants, acquiring properties, and covering predevelopment costs. By providing this grant funding and targeted capacity-building support, we’ve helped CDCs advance over 12 key projects, which will redevelop vacant commercial and residential space and support the creation of nearly 180 affordable homes – both rental and homeownership - and over 90,000 square feet of commercial and community space. 

CDC Highlights: From Vacancy to Opportunity

Many CDCs, including Cherry Hill Development Corporation (CHDC), Druid Heights CDC, Southeast CDC, Southwest Partnership and Park Heights Renaissance, are turning vacant and blighted properties into affordable homeownership opportunities.

Through their Blight Reduction Homeownership Initiative, CHDC completed the redevelopment of two properties, with plans to finish another three in early 2025. These five homes are a part of the first South Baltimore Community Land Trust homes. Through this initiative, CHDC can offer low-income Baltimore residents the opportunity to own fully renovated two-bedroom homes starting at just $99,000—a remarkable opportunity in today’s market.

Two photos of newly renovated homeownership opportunities with CHDC staff celebrating with a ribbon cutting
CHDC staff celebrate the completion of two newly renovated buildings with a ribbon cutting.

CHDC has also identified first-time home buyer grants , and as a part of their commitment to preventing displacement of long-time residents, they work with partners like Healthy Neighborhoods and Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service to provide door-to-door estate planning and home repair resources.

“Our organization may be small, but it is mighty,” says Lachele Kellam, Executive Director of CHDC. “We’re empowering Baltimore residents,

Kellam has taken advantage of all of Enterprise’s CDC sessions and additional one-on-one technical assistance. With that support, CHDC has identified their next phase of blight reduction, which includes nine additional vacant homes or lots that they will transform into green, energy efficient affordable homeownership opportunities. “This is a great space for leaders and Enterprise’s continued support is greatly appreciated,” Kellam shared.

Another CDC partner, Greater Baybrook Alliance (GBA), focused the predevelopment grant support they received through the CDC Exchange on the redevelopment of a vacant bank building in South Baltimore. GBA broke ground in November of 2024, and when complete, the renovated space will house their new office, business coaching and technical assistance, and flexible commercial space for local businesses.

Two photos, one of a the facade of a vacant bank building and the second a casually dressed diverse group listening to a woman in glasses and a jean jacket speaking
GBA staff, Daisy Heartberg and Emma Simpson, provided a tour to community development organizations Enterprise works with in Detroit.

Lessons from Baltimore and Beyond

In October, Enterprise hosted a learning exchange for community development organizations supported by our Detroit CDO Funds and Baltimore CDC Neighborhood Exchange. These are invaluable opportunities for community leaders to network, share best practices, and grow. We toured projects led by our Baltimore partners, and the City of Baltimore Innovation team also showed our guests around the city (check out the recap video they made).

Two photos, one of a Black man in glasses speaking into a mic, the other of a large room full of professionals sitting at round tables.
Zeevelle Nottingham-Lemon, Cherry Hill Strong Executive Director, welcomed Detroit leaders to Cherry Hill with a rousing introduction to Baltimore.

Our Learning Exchange was hosted with support from one of our CDC partners, Cherry Hill Strong. 
Detroit and Baltimore leaders had the chance to connect with one another in a facilitated conversation and hear a panel conversation with public sector and philanthropic leaders from both cities.

Special thanks to our panelists including (pictured below L to R): 

  • Charles Rutheiser, Senior Associate, The Annie E. Casey Foundation;
  • Amy Kleine, Senior Program Director, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
  • Eric Phamdo, Program Officer, R.C. Wilson Foundation
  • David Bowers, Enterprise Community Partners
  • Antoine Bryant, Director Planning & Development Department, City of Detroit
  • Chris Ryer, Director, Baltimore City Office of Planning
  • Tamara Woods, Assistant Commissioner- Land Management, Baltimore City DHCD,
  • Keegan Mahoney, Policy Director, City of Detroit
  • Bryan Hogle, Senior Program Manager, Kresge Foundation  
A diverse group of nine professionals standing and smiling at the camera.

With support from funders, Enterprise will continue to convene the CDC Exchange through 2025 and beyond, and we look forward to celebrating more successes!

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