February 7, 2024 – Online Job Workshops announced for this month

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

January 12, 2024 – John F. Kennedy waiting list is now OPEN

As of 11/3/2023, the WAITING LIST FOR JOHN F. KENNEDY IS NOW OPEN AT THIS TIME.  The property is for residents 62 and older. To apply, please visit the John F. Kennedy office located at, 135 N. Mechanic Street, or our main office located at, 625 E. First Street, Cumberland, MD. For any questions, please contact 301-724-1544

January 10, 2024 – City of Cumberland Community Development Block Grant Funds

Please see the notice of intent linked here. If you would like to see Cumberland Housing Group’s improvements this year, please see the attachment here.

November 3, 2023 – Online Job Workshops announced for November

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

Notice of Public Hearing 

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA), Title VII, Small Public Housing Authorities Paperwork Reduction Act exempted qualified PHAs from the requirement to prepare and submit an annual plan.  Qualified PHA’s are defined as having a combined unit total of 550 or less public housing units and section 8 vouchers and is not designated troubled under the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) during the prior 12 months.  Therefore, The Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland (HACC) is a qualified PHA.

The HACC, as a qualified PHA, is required to hold a public hearing regarding any changes to the goals, objectives, and policies of that agency and invite public comment regarding such changes.  The HACC submitted its Five Year PHA Plan to HUD covering the period of 4/1/2020 – 3/31/2025.  That plan was approved by HUD on October 20, 2020 and the only changes are HUD required Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA).  A copy of the Five Year PHA Plan is available in any staffed HACC office for viewing.

The HACC also uses this public hearing to present the rolling Capital Fund 5-Year Action Plan HUD Form 50075.2 as approved by HUD on 5/1/2023 which provides a statement of capital improvements needed including the recently added 2027 funding year.  A copy of that form is available in any staffed HACC office for viewing.

Information referenced above is available for review at the Central Office of the Cumberland Housing Group located at 635 E. First Street, Cumberland or any of our staffed site offices during the hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, (except Holidays) or at www.cumberlandhousing.org.

A public hearing will be held on November 2, 2023 at 10:00 AM, at the Jane Frazier Village Community Room connected to the Central Office.  Public comments can be submitted in writing to our office prior to the hearing or voiced at the hearing.

September 28, 2023 – Online Job Workshops announced for October

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

August 24, 2023 – Community Resource Day

Allegany College of Maryland will be hosting Community Resource Day on September 15, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Resources that will be provided include health, transportation, social services, housing, clothing and more! Please see the flyer for more details here.

ATTENTION PET OWNERS. There will be veterinarian services provided from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Stepping Stone will be providing rabies vaccinations and will have information on low cost spay/neuter options.

August 1, 2023 – Online Job Workshops announced for August

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

July 21, 2023- NEW Changes to the Rent Payment System- SECOND Notice

The Housing Authority will be transitioning to a new computer software at the end of July and during August. You will still be able to pay by check and money order. There will be changes to other forms of payments. Please see the notice for more details.

July 7, 2023- Section 3 Employment Opportunity Notice

The Section 3 program is designed to help low-income residents find employment. While not all of our contractors need to hire additional people for the work done at our developments; Cumberland Housing Group will notify our tenants if there are employment opportunities. Please review our updated Section 3 notice and see if you would like to be on our list of qualified applicants. Section 3 Employment notice is available here.

June 16, 2023- NEW Changes to the Rent Payment System

The Housing Authority will be transitioning to a new computer software at the end of July and during August. You will still be able to pay by check and money order. There will be changes to other forms of payments. Please see the notice for more details.

June 1, 2023 – Online Job Workshops announced for June

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

ATTENTION Tenants – 30-day Comment Period has started for Changes to our Pet Ownership Policy.

The Housing Authority is holding a thirty-day comment period, for changes to Pet Ownership Policy and the wording change from Addendums to Attachments on Public Housing lease (name change only).

The information referenced above is available for review at the Central Office of the Cumberland Housing Group located at 635 E. First Street, Cumberland or any of our staffed site offices during the hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, (except Holidays) or at on this link. Public comments can be submitted in writing to any Property Management office by April 30, 2023.

April 27, 2023 – Online Job Workshops announced for May

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

ATTENTION Tenants – 30-day Comment Period has started for Changes to our Schedule of Tenant Charges.

The Housing Authority is holding a thirty-day comment period, for changes to the Schedule of Tenant Charges and the wording change from Addendums to Attachments on Public Housing lease (name change only).

The information referenced above is available for review at the Central Office of the Cumberland Housing Group located at 635 E. First Street, Cumberland or any of our staffed site offices during the hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, (except Holidays) or at on this link. Public comments can be submitted in writing to any Property Management office by April 30, 2023.

ATTENTION Tenants – 30-day Comment Period has started for Changes to our Policies.

The Housing Authority is holding a thirty-day comment period from March 8th until April 10th, for changes to replace Addendum #A – Additional Rules and Regulations with House Rules for all Public Housing units. For River Bend Court resident’s, the House Rules have been revised. The information referenced above is available for review at the Central Office of the Cumberland Housing Group located at 635 E. First Street, Cumberland or any of our staffed site offices during the hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, (except Holidays) or on this link. Public comments can be submitted in writing to any Property Management office by April 10, 2023.

February 21, 2023 – School Readiness Fair

The Country Club Mall is hosting School Readiness with Clifford on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. See their poster for more details!

February 1, 2023 – Online Job Workshops announced for February

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

January 26, 2023 – Feeling Bodies, Healing Hearts, Souls, and Minds

Allegany County HRDC will be hosting a free community luncheon on Friday, February 10, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please see their flyer for more details. The luncheon will be located at 1 Frederick Street, Cumberland, MD.

January 26, 2023 – ATTENTION Animal owners

If you need your animal to be spayed/neutered, HART for Animals located in Accident, MD are able to provide the service without cost to low-income individuals. You may call (301)-387-7729 to schedule an appointment.

November 3, 2022 – Goodwill Job Resources

Goodwill Industries is offering a Job Readiness/ Job Placement Housing Navigation Services. If you would like to apply for their services or need more information, please contact them at the information included in this link.

Notice of Public Hearing 

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA), Title VII, Small Public Housing Authorities Paperwork Reduction Act exempted qualified PHAs from the requirement to prepare and submit an annual plan.  Qualified PHA’s are defined as having a combined unit total of 550 or less public housing units and section 8 vouchers and is not designated troubled under the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) during the prior 12 months.  Therefore, The Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland (HACC) is a qualified PHA.

The HACC, as a qualified PHA, is required to hold a public hearing regarding any changes to the goals, objectives, and policies of that agency and invite public comment regarding such changes.  The HACC submitted its Five Year PHA Plan to HUD covering the period of 4/1/2020 – 3/31/2025.  That plan was approved by HUD on October 20, 2020 and there are NO PROPOSED changes to that plan at this time.

The HACC also uses this public hearing to present the rolling Capital Fund 5-Year Action Plan HUD Form 50075.2 as approved by HUD on 08/23/2022 which provides a statement of capital improvements needed including the recently added 2026 funding year.

Information referenced above is available for review at the Central Office of the Cumberland Housing Group located at 635 E. First Street, Cumberland or any of our staffed site offices during the hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, (except Holidays) or at www.cumberlandhousing.org.

Public comments can be submitted in writing to our office prior to the hearing or voiced at the hearing.  A public hearing will be held on November 3, 2022 at 10:00 AM, at the Jane Frazier Village Community Room connected to the Central Office.

September 27, 2022 – Online Job Workshops announced for October

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

September 13, 2022 – State Agency Job Fair

The Cumberland American Job Center will be hosting a job fair for agencies like the Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services, Maryland State Police, Allegany County Health Department, and more. The event will be on September 15, 2022 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at 138 Baltimore St, Cumberland, MD. Please see their flyer for more information.

August 30, 2022 – Online Job Workshops announced for September

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

August 29, 2022 – ATTENTION Contractors

Our new Section 3 program has been effective since April 1, 2022. Please look to our Section 3 Program page that is listed under Business Opportunities tab. A new Contractor’s guide for Section 3 is now available under resources on our page. This guide will explain the program and any requirements that is included in our contracts. HUD has enforced Section 3 through any Public Housing funded contracts, so we cannot award any contracts if the required paperwork is not completed.

July 26, 2022 –  Online Job Workshops announced for August

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

July 19, 2022 – Queen City Tower RAD Application

The Housing Authority is preparing an application to be submitted to HUD for Queen City Tower to participate in the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program.  A RAD Information Notice (RIN) has been distributed to all residents as required.  Informational Resident Meetings are being held on July 19th  at 10:00 and July 21st at 3:00 in the QCT Community Room also as required.  After these meetings, a General Information Notice (GIN) will be provided to all residents of QCT as required.  There are no timelines established for this development at this time.

June 24, 2022 – Allegany County DSS host Goodwill Industries CUT, CLOTH, WORK! Event

Allegany County DSS, located at 1 Frederick Street, Cumberland, MD, will have an event from 9 am to 1 pm. The event will include free haircuts from a local barber, Horizon Goodwill will provide clothes for interviews, and local companies will have on-the-spot-interviews. The job fair will be from 10 am to 1 pm. For more information please see the flyer.

June 24, 2022 – Online Job Workshops announced for July

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

June 13, 2022 – Attention pet owners

The Allegany Animal Shelter will be hosting a cat neuter clinic on Saturday, June 25, 2022 for MALE cats only. Cats must be secured in a carrier (one cat per carrier.)  Cats will be neutered and given a one year rabies vaccine ( 3 years vaccine with proof of 1 year rabies vaccine.) This clinic is being sponsored so there will be no charge. To reserve a space, please call (301)-777-5930. If you have a temporary pet permit and need to get your cat neutered before your permit expires please use this opportunity to do so. For any more information about the clinic, please visit the Allegany County Animal Shelter’s Facebook page.

May 26, 2022 – Online Job Workshops Announced for June

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here.

May 24, 2022 – Western Maryland Job Fair in June

The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services have open positions in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties. The job fair will be on Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 11 am – 2 pm at the American Job Center in Cumberland, Md. For more information, please see their flyer.

May 10, 2022 – NEW Opportunity Portal available for employment and contracting opportunities

All contractors, subcontractors, Section 3 Workers, and business concerns are able to register and the use the opportunity portal to search for contracts, employment positions, and businesses. An account is not needed to search for opportunities but is required to upload resumes, job openings, etc. The opportunity portal link and How-to-Use guides are available in the resources section on our Section 3 Program page.

May 5, 2022 – Jane Frazier Village

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families involved in the incident that occurred by Jane Frazier Village. There will be grief counselors from Villa Maria counseling services at the Jane Frazier Community Room on Monday, May 9th from 1-4 PM, to talk with any resident of Jane Frazier Village impacted by the incident that occurred Wednesday, May 4th.

May 2, 2022 – Apply for an apprenticeship for a plumber/ steam fitter

Local 489 is accepting applications for Plumber/ Steam fitter apprenticeships now through May 27, 2022. Applicant information.

May 2, 2022 – Online Job Workshops are Announced for May & YMCA hosts Financial Awareness Workshops

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering free online educational workshops. Registration is required in advance. For more information on how to register and when classes are available please click here. The YMCA is hosting Financial Awareness Workshops. Click here for dates and how to register.

April 11, 2022 – Fairfield Inn hosts Job Event this Thursday, April 14, 2022

Fairfield Inn located at 21 N. Wineow Street, Cumberland, MD, will have free haircuts and clothing for job interviews. There will be on spot interviews from local business including Rocky Gap Casino, Webstaurant Store, and more! The event starts at 10am and runs until 2pm.

April 1, 2022 – NEW Section 3 Program Effective

Cumberland Housing Group has revised their Section 3 Policy and Procedures to be in compliance with 24 CFR 75. All businesses that plan on participating in contracting opportunities with our agency will need to review our Section 3 Program page and documents to know their responsibilities. Information for businesses and workers can be found here.

March 29, 2022 – Online Job Workshops are Announced for April

Did you miss the classes in March? Now is your chance to register for April! The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes are available here or you can visit Allegany HRDC’s Facebook page.

February 23, 2022 – Online Job Workshops are Announced for March (Updated)

The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. More information on how to register and when classes is available here or you can visit Allegany HRDC’s Facebook page.

January 27, 2022 – Online Job Workshops are Announced for February  

As part of our Section 3 Compliance, we like to keep our residents up to date on job readiness classes. The Maryland Department of Labor and American Job Centers are offering online educational workshops that are free to the public. Registration is required in advance. For more information on how to register and when classes are available please click here.

January 27, 2022 – Jane Frazier Village All Waiting Lists Open

As of 1/27/2022, the Waiting List for all bedroom size townhouses at Jane Frazier Village has been opened and we are now accepting applications for those units.  

April 1, 2022 – Rent and Utility Allowance Rate Schedule

The Housing Authority is required by HUD to annually review and adjust the flat rents and ceiling rents.  Flat rents are designed to mirror the HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR’s) for this area which are established annually by HUD based upon local rental amounts charged.  HUD does provide us an exemption which allows us to set our rates at 80% of HUD’s FMR’s for this area.  The Rent and Utility Allowance Rate Schedule was approved by the Board on January 19, 2022.  The Rate Schedule is posted in each development and can be viewed by clicking here.   You will be advised at your next Annual Re-Certification of what your new rent will be.

July 1, 2021 – Schedule of Resident Charges 

A revised Schedule of Resident Charges, Addendum D to the Residential Lease Agreement, has been approved by the Board of Commissioners on May 19, 2021 and will be effective as of July 1, 2021.  This schedule can be reviewed here or in any of our offices.  It will also be posted in our mid and high rise common areas.

April 1, 2021 – John F. Kennedy Homes Waiting List Closed

The application Waiting List for John F. Kennedy Homes has been closed effective April 1, 2021.  This is due to this development preparing for a substantial rehabilitation planned for the spring of 2022 which requires for a large amount of vacant units.  This waiting list is expected to reopen the end of 2023.

April 1, 2021 – RENOVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

The Public Housing development known as John F. Kennedy Homes will soon be receiving an extensive renovation.  This development began housing residents in 1967 and has provided affordable housing to thousands of individuals since opening.  With its close proximity to downtown Cumberland it provides convenient housing for those that lack personal transportation and within walking distance of most needed amenities.

John F. Kennedy Homes is an 100-unit HUD Public Housing Development located at 135 North Mechanic Street.  It is owned and operated by the Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland which was established in 1949 as a Public Housing Agency under the Federal Housing Act of 1937.  The Cumberland Housing Group operates a total of eight developments including John F. Kennedy Homes comprising 494 residential apartments and town homes and has consistently maintained all of their developments at a standard which affords them the HUD designation of a High Performing Agency.

As a Public Housing Agency, the use of traditional forms of funding for performing modernization is not permitted and funding is limited to federal appropriations.  After decades of under funding housing developments across the nation, HUD has designed a rehabilitation option which transfers the ownership of the development to a nonprofit entity, permits the use of conventional funding and continues to provide long term affordable housing through the use of HUD funded rent subsidy. This option is known as RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration). Through RAD, housing authorities are able to substantially rehabilitate housing developments that are in need of renovations while preserving the rights of the families living there.

In 2015, the Housing Authority identified John F. Kennedy Homes as a candidate for RAD and filed an application with HUD which was approved in 2017.  The arduous planning and financial process began but the project was placed on a temporarily hold until another development completed the RAD conversion and renovation first.  In the spring of 2021, John F. Kennedy Homes was reactivated with plans, specifications and pricing completed and submitted to the funding agencies for review.  The items submitted have passed the first review and additional documents pertaining to financing are being submitted and reviewed at this point.   Upon approval of all construction and financing plans, ownership of John F. Kennedy Homes will be transferred and renamed to JFK Apartments, LP with agencies within the Cumberland Housing Group as general and managing partner and Stratford Capital Investments as its limited partner.  The development will be re-branded as JFK Apartments and will consist of 100 residential units including 90 1-bedroom units and 10 efficiencies which will include 10 physically accessible units that meet ADA standards. The modernization will provide new kitchens, bathrooms, wall covering, flooring, lighting, heating, air conditioning, new utility services, laundry and more.  The exterior façade of the buildings will be renovated including windows, doors, roofs, etc.

All tenants currently living at the development will move into the newly renovated town homes as construction is completed. JFK Apartments will continue to provide affordable housing for those whose gross family incomes are below 60% of the Cumberland/Allegany County Area Median Income of $60,800 and adjusted per family size.  In other words, a single person with a gross annual income of $30,240 or two people with a gross annual income of $34,560 per year are both considered low income qualified families.  Monthly rent is calculated on 30% of the adjusted gross income.

The total project cost is expected to exceed $24 million dollars and is being financed by or through the Maryland Community Development Administration (a division of the Department of Housing and Community Development), Stratford Capital Investments, 1st United Bank, and the Cumberland Housing Group.  The development team includes the Cumberland Housing Group as the developer and General Partner; The Belt Group as the general contractor; EADS Architects; East Hills Engineering; and the Chesapeake Community Advisors as development consultants.  We are anticipating that the major improvements to the development will begin in late summer 2022.

Sources and Uses of Funding – not yet completed