Samantha Dean, Director of Communication CommunicAIDMD 3102 Holabird Ave Dundalk, MD 21222 Phone: (443) 932-0101 Fax: (443)

932-0202 Email: sdean825@communicaid.org

For Immediate Release

COMMUNICAID PURCHASES CITY PROPERTY, PLANS TO EXPAND SERVICES ACROSS TOWN

(BALTIMORE, Sept. 25)After a 9-3 vote by its Board of Trustees, CommunicAID, a local homeless shelter, signed a $2.5 million contract with Baltimore City to purchase a former elementary school property located on Mercer Street in Charles Village. With construction set to begin within two months, CommunicAID plans on expand its services throughout the north central area of the city by this summer.

On any given night in Baltimore City, at least 4,000 people experience homelessness, said Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. CommunicAIDs expansion offers those in need a chance to create long-term solutions to homelessness through education and counseling.

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Plans for the center include rooms for community education and professional counseling. There will be a 32-bed overnight shelter, a 60-person day shelter with, a 30-person long-term family shelter, and a 12,000 square foot food pantry. Those in need will be able to access the services at the Mercer Street Center by providing proof of local residency.

According to Robert Baase, CommunicAID Director of Public Affairs, proof of local residency will encourage locals in need to access services CommunicAID offers, while deterring an influx of people from all corners of the city.

By utilizing the resources provided by CommunicAID at the Mercer Street Center the homeless population will have the tools to empower themselves and uplift the community, Baase said.

In order to fund this project The Maryland Housing Authority awarded CommunicAID a $500,000 grant, of which 50 percent must be used to improve building safety. Another $250,000 grant came from the Baltimore City Council. Any additional costs for the project will be financed by a low interest loan through a federal facilities improvement fund administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. More

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Since its founding in 1994, CommunicAID has actively sought to provide food, shelter, and education to those in need. Headquartered in Dundalk, MD, CommunicAID assists and empowers the local homeless population in its drive to continue enforcing its motto by Caring for the Community. CommunicAID continues to expand its services through partnerships with volunteers and affiliates from the Baltimore Area.

For more information about CommunicAID, services available, or volunteer positions visit www.CommunicAID.org or contact Samantha Dean, CommunicAID Director of Communication, at (443) 932-0101.
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