The Reeds at 1910:

Slated to open ahead of schedule this September, Mission First has completed nearly 90% of the construction of The Reeds at 1910, a new 90-unit affordable housing community for seniors near downtown Wheaton, MD on the former parking lot of the Har Tzeon – Agudath Achim synagogue. The project recently received permanent power and unit meters, allowing construction crews to complete work on interior finishes and landscaping.

The Reeds at 1910 offers a mix of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments that are all affordable between 30% and 70% of Area Median Income (AMI). Residents will have access to an on-site management office, fitness room, club room with raised patio, laundry lounge on each floor and an outdoor terrace. The development will also include a new public multiuse path through the site, providing connectivity to downtown Wheaton for the community.

Be on the lookout for information about the Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony in the next few months.

Hudson Park Towers:

Mission First and its affiliated general contractor, CPM Construction, have completed 80% of the work on the renovation of Hudson Park Towers, a 70,000 square foot four-story brick building with 60 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartments in York, PA.

Originally constructed in 1900 as the Diamond Silk Mill, the building was converted to housing in 1989 using an allocation of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). Acquired by Mission First in 2018 along with Sassafras Terrace in Mt Joy, Park Place in Elizabethtown and Princess Street Apartments in West York, Hudson Park Towers is the final preservation project in the York/Lancaster portfolio.

Hudson Park Towers was awarded a 2024 allocation of 9% LIHTCs from PHFA to recapitalize the building. The rehabilitation of the project includes replacement and repair of major building systems, improvements to the building envelope, quality-of-life enhancements and energy-efficiency upgrades designed to strengthen long-term operations and financial sustainability.

Construction is currently in Phase 5 of 6, with all third- and fourth-floor apartments complete and common-area renovations underway. First-floor work is expected to be completed next month.

The renovation is scheduled for completion this October, and we look forward to celebrating with a community Re-Opening Event.

The Blake at Somerset:

Mission First Housing Group and development partners The Henson Development Company and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City have completed approximately 15% of construction on The Blake at Somerset. Crews are currently placing structural concrete for the building and completing asphalt paving for portions of the site.

The capstone development of Mission First's work within the Perkins Somerset Oldtown (PSO) Transformation Plan, The Blake at Somerset will bring 190 mixed-income apartments to the neighborhood, including 153 affordable homes and 37 market-rate apartments.

Residents will enjoy modern kitchens, energy star appliances, spacious floor plans, a rooftop terrace, club room, business center and fitness center. The development will also feature a neighborhood grocery store and two levels of structured parking serving both residents and the surrounding community.

The Blake at Somerset is scheduled to open in late 2027.

University City Preservation:

Early in June, Mission First and its its affiliated general contractor, CPM Construction, began construction on its University City Preservation project, extensively renovating 83 apartments at four properties in University City, West Philadelphia to maintain rental affordability for very low-income households.

Mission First has owned these communities for many years. Powelton Gardens was built in 1992 and refinanced in 2006. Larchwood Apartments was acquired in 1995, 245 S. 46th Street in 1997 and Powelton Heights was developed in 2008.

To ensure its continued viability as an affordable housing resource in Philadelphia, the properties require new roofs and the replacement of multiple building systems, as well as new kitchens, baths and updated finishes. Common spaces, including the leasing office, community room and laundry facilities, will be upgraded and energy efficiency measures will be incorporated in the project as the repairs and improvement work allows. All of the work is also being completed in occupied buildings, so our team is working closely with residents to minimize disruption while providing them with upgraded homes.

Construction is approximately 10% complete, with demolition and framing underway at Larchwood Apartments and 245 S. 46th Street. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the middle of fall. We will continue to provide you with updates in future e-newsletter editions.

On June 22nd, nearly 400 people joined Mission First’s development partners The Henson Development Co. (THC) and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) for the Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting of the Nathaniel J. McFadden Learn and Play Park on Central Avenue in Baltimore, MD.

This was a momentous celebration for the Park, which is adjacent to Mission First’s housing communities of 1234 McElderry Apartments, The Ruby at Somerset and The Ella at Somerset and the construction site of The Blake at Somerset opening next year.

Along with speeches by Dana Henson, President of THC, and Janet Abrahams, President of HABC, remarks were provided by a troupe of dignitaries and partners at the ceremony including Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, United States Congressman Kweisi Mfume, Maryland State Senator Cory McCray, Baltimore City Councilmember Jermaine Jones, Former Baltimore City Councilmember Robert Stokes, Baltimore City Department of Parks & Recreation Executive Director Dr. Reginald Moore and Waters African Methodist Episcopal Church Pastor Rev. Brent La Prince Edwards. The ceremony ended with wonderful words from the man of the hour, The Honorable Nathaniel McFadden, Former Maryland State Senator and namesake for the Park.

After the opening ceremonies, guests and community members enjoyed free meals and ice cream from food trucks, face painting, the Bookmobile, bubbles and a lot of play in the new park.

The Park adds an additional community amenity that the over 600 households living with Mission First in this neighborhood will be able to enjoy with their family, friends and neighbors.

Mission First’s Resident Services Department provides services to residents in more than 2,300 households in 30 properties, coordinating services, promoting resident engagement, well-being and stability and building community. Services are provided across five pillars: Community Engagement, Youth Enrichment, Health and Wellness, Education and Employment and Housing Stability.

As part of our Engagement work, our Resident Services teams provide community events to celebrate holidays and occasions to develop and strengthen relationships among residents and the community. This past Juneteenth, residents across the portfolio participated in unique activities in observance of the holiday. Here are a few examples:

Annually, the entire Mission First staff from across the portfolio comes together at a central location for an Annual Meeting. In June, staff met at The Pump House in Bala Cynwyd, PA (near Philadelphia) to discuss company goals, enjoy lunch and connect with colleagues.

Mission First’s District Manager Jade McCoy has been recognized as one of Baltimore Business Journal’s 2026 40 Under 40!

A native of Baltimore, MD, Jade has been with Mission First for three years and oversees a diverse portfolio of six affordable housing communities with nearly 600 apartments at Fells Point Station, 1234 McElderry Apartments, The Ella at Somerset and The Ruby at Somerset in Baltimore, Patuxent Commons in Columbia, MD and Dahlgreen Courts Apartments in Washington, DC. She leads property operations, compliance, financial performance, occupancy growth, staff development and resident engagement initiatives for multimillion-dollar real estate assets.

Jade has proven to be a results-driven leader in affordable housing property management who consistently demonstrates commitment to operational excellence, team development and community impact throughout the Baltimore/DC region.

In her time at Mission First, Jade successfully led the efforts to open and occupy four brand new properties. The first three are properties in Mission First’s redevelopment of the former Somerset Homes as part of the Perkins Somerset Oldtown (PSO) Transformation plan, creating a new and vibrant mixed-income community stretching from Fells Point and Harbor East to near Johns Hopkins Hospital. Jade is currently preparing for the next steps in the capstone project of the Somerset Homes revitalization, a 190-unit new construction, mixed income, family building with a grocery store.

Most recently, Jade was instrumental in opening Patuxent Commons, a brand new 76-unit mixed income apartment community for adults with disabilities, older adults and families built to help address the housing instability and isolation faced by adults with disabilities and seniors, and to enhance their social connectedness through relationship building and community engagement.

Her dedication, leadership and commitment to both her profession and the communities she serves make her an exceptional candidate for Baltimore Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 recognition.

Jade will receive her award at the honoree luncheon in September.