2020 Development that Best Preserves Special Needs Population
Paca House
Developer: Somerset Development Company, with Volunteers of America Chesapeake and the Carolinas and New Community Partners
Owner: Paca House Partners, LP
Location: Baltimore, MD
The redevelopment and expansion of Paca House in downtown Baltimore converted single room occupancy apartments with no kitchens and baths into 92 fully furnished apartments. The apartments provide permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness and veterans. Baltimore has approximately 2,500 people experiencing homelessness on any given night. The permanent housing that Paca House will provide will help create housing stability for residents.
The development has 10 apartments reserved for residents with Veteran’s Affaires Supportive Housing vouchers. The redevelopment would not have been possible without $15.2 million in low-income housing tax credit equity. The Paca House developers--Somerset Development Company, with New Community Partners and Volunteers of America Chesapeake (VOAC)—would like to give special recognition to Maryland CDA, The Weinberg Foundation, Volunteers of America National, Home Depot, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and Fulton Bank through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh
“When VOAC approached Somerset about redeveloping Paca House to create permanent supportive housing for Veterans and others experiencing homelessness and converting the Single Room Occupancy units to efficiencies and one bedrooms, we didn't hesitate,” said Bill Whitman, Development Partner with New Community Partners and Somerset Development Company. “You don’t have to look very far from Paca House to see the enormous need for housing and wrap around services for Veterans experiencing homelessness in Baltimore. It has been a privilege to work on this project, which provides 92 modern affordable apartments, great amenities and a great location. [It was] a pleasure to work with such an expert team, including Kann Partners and Waldon Studios, Harkins Builders, Boston Financial, Capital One and other critical funding sources.”