BALTIMORE, MD – Today, 13 families in Baltimore’s Oliver community celebrated the opportunity to own their fully furnished homes as Hope Village distributed keys during a ribbon-cutting event. With each 400-square-foot home priced at just $25,000 and affordable financing, Hope Village provides working families an unprecedented path to homeownership in a city with widespread housing insecurity.
The visionary project, led by founders Christian and Pam Wilson, in partnership with real estate developers Mark, Stacy, and Jay Sapperstein, aims to revitalize the Oliver community by offering affordable, high-quality homes without needing a credit check.
All new homeowners completed financial literacy and budgeting courses. Once in the homes, they will receive ongoing support from social workers for three years to successfully transition from housing insecurity to homeownership. State of Maryland and City of Baltimore officials lauded the collaborative mindsets behind creating these new residences at the November 4th ribbon-cutting event.
Bill Ferguson, Maryland Senate President said, “Hope Village is a boots-to-the-ground, completely volunteer nonprofit in Baltimore City. The people affiliated with it are dedicated to building homes for working people who experience housing insecurity. Through their work, the team supporting Hope Village is giving people who have been challenged with finding secure and long-term housing the option to buy homes, rather than rent. This, in the simplest terms, is amazing and a model of what people sharing a vision can do for others.”
Alice Kennedy, Baltimore City Housing Commissioner, shared, “Congratulations to everyone who has come together to propel Hope Village from a dream to reality. It has taken a village to get here today – from funding to construction, to community support and in-kind donations – the collaboration has produced a first of its kind housing development in Baltimore – one we hope to replicate. To the new homeowners – may Hope Village not only be a safe place you can now call home – but a place where dreams are made, equity is realized, and memories created. Welcome home!”
The Wilson and Sapperstein families were jointly responsible for Hope Village’s growth over three years of planning, zoning, groundwork and construction of the award-winning homes. The land, purchased from Baltimore City, was vacant overgrown properties in the Oliver neighborhood. It allowed Hope Village to transform a section of the 1300 block of Holbrook Street into a collection of homes for working people who could not afford the cost of housing. Christian Wilson, and his wife Pamela, spearheaded this venture for more accessible and affordable city housing.
“November 4th will be a day of great cheer for 13 families and individuals who will walk into their new homes at Hope Village, Wilson said. “A group of devoted individuals, businesses, and society as a whole heard the call and devoted their time and treasure to bring relief to this group of the unhoused. No more will they face the nagging questions of survival as they wake up each morning, but all will be refreshed by knowing they have their own home. Thank you to all who participated in this venture that turned vacant land into a new community.”
Pam Wilson said the cross-cutting community model is now positioned to set a standard—both locally and across the country—for changing lives. “It’s the wonder of this place, the Miracle of Holbrook Street, where lives will be rebuilt, children’s futures secured and a way forward for others to replicate this idea that, through truly affordable homeownership, the traumas of being unhoused can be left behind and people can begin their lives again with successful control of their futures.
Hope Village’s mission is clear: to offer working families long-term stability and equity through affordable homeownership. Each $25,000 mortgage is financed at 5% interest over 15 years, keeping monthly payments just under $200. The project was made possible through private investments and community collaborations, setting a new standard for urban renewal and sustainable, community-driven development.
Mark Sapperstein of 28 Walker Development, a Baltimore-based real estate company, along with his wife Stacy and son Jay, have shared the goal to help resolve the challenging issue of housing insecurity in Baltimore City. “Collectively we all want to see more affordable housing programs become successful,” Sapperstein said. “We remained steadfast and determined to find solutions to have Hope Village become a reality.”
Jay Sapperstein, who led the development of Hope Village said, “We wanted to use our construction expertise to efficiently develop the site and build these homes. With help from S.E.H. Excavating, Chesapeake Contracting Group, Andersen Windows, CB Flooring, Commercial Lighting Sales, and we are proud to build these homes for the City of Baltimore.”
Stacy Sapperstein has been focused on Hope Village’s mission – to end housing insecurity for low-income working people by turning vacant land in Baltimore City into communities of brand-new, detached homes for sale at truly affordable prices. “Persistence is key to design, build, and furnish these single-family homes to create a new neighborhood in the City,” she said. “We want to turn housing insecurity into home equity. We call it Empowerment through Housing.”
The Neighborhood Design Center (NDC), a local nonprofit specializing in community-engaged architecture helped connect the Wilsons with Baltimore architect Randy Sovich, FAIA and principal of RM Sovich Architecture, and current NDC Board president, who provided pro bono architectural plans. Through NDC’s Community Design Works program, a landscaping plan was developed to maximize green space, create a welcoming streetscape, and foster a strong neighborhood identity. Native plantings, street trees, and a community garden have transformed a former alley into a vibrant residential street, emphasizing sustainable and easy-to-maintain environmental designs.
“Hope Village isn’t just about building homes; it’s about creating a viable urban community,” said lead architect and NDC Board President Randy Sovich, FAIA. “This project reflects the willingness of all involved to embrace forward-thinking values—connecting sustainable, energy-efficient design with localized landscaping to create a neighborhood that feels like home. It’s a model for rethinking housing to build community places that offer hope and opportunity by building equity.”
Pam Moore, president of the Historic Oliver Community Association (BOCA), said the neighborhood interest in the active construction and the completion of the new homes in this historic neighborhood continues to be inspiring. “Hope Village has contributed to and generated new interest in the area by developers and continues to spark community pride. “The Oliver Community has long been committed to its viability as a ‘work, live, play community’ and Hope Village is now a part of our vibrancy,” Moore said. “This is an example of resiliency and reclamation. As you look around the community, its homes, and businesses, you can see the emergence of new construction that addresses and benefits the Oliver Community’s needs, wants, and ambitions. These new homes also draw attention to investments in our affordable housing, renovation options, and entrepreneurial engagement here in East Baltimore. We encourage these new homeowners to take part and join our community programs. We are thrilled to have you as neighbors.”
By prioritizing homeownership over renting and removing financial barriers — like credit checks — Hope Village in Oliver has set a powerful example. For cities and urban areas grappling with housing insecurity, this innovative model demonstrates how to engage the right partnerships, and community involvement, and to make homeownership a reality for Baltimore’s low-wage earning families. Annual incomes in the Oliver Community average at $25,000.
Local business partners including the Target Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Renewal Fund, Equitable Advisors, Harris Teeter Grocer, Open Works, Younts Design, Baltimore Furniture Bank and Grace United Methodist Church were pivotal in equipping each of the 13 homes with furnishings, food, household supplies, and internet access.
The Wilson and Sapperstein families credit the contributions of community partners, advocates, and volunteers in their combined abilities to make the opening day and ribbon-cutting and opening-day events come to life. A core group of key team members includes Baltimore realtor Cindy Conklin, financial advisor Anne London of Equitable Advisors, Katherine (Katie) Loya, MPH, drone video and still photographer Tyler Merbler, and strategic communication & planning provided by Edie Brown, of Edie Brown & Associates, and Tony Salters, the principle strategist of TSG/The Salters Group Communications.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — November 4, 2024
Contacts: Tony Salters, TSG Communications, saltersgroupcommunications@gmail.com / (972) 897-8167 or
Edie Brown, Edie Brown & Associates, ediebrownpr@gmail.com / (410) 627-9600
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