April 2026 Newsletter - Community Housing Associates

🌱 APRIL: GROWTH SEASON STARTS NOW

Spring is fully here. Days are longer, Baltimore is coming alive, and so are new opportunities. April is one of the most important months to get your housing, health, and finances in order before the heat of summer. Read every page — there is something here for you.

April Priority Actions

🔴 Tax Filing Deadline: April 15th

Federal and Maryland state tax returns are due April 15th. If you haven't filed yet, don't wait. Free tax preparation is still available through the CASH Campaign of Maryland. Filing on time protects you from penalties and unlocks any refund you may still be owed. Visit cashmd.org or call 211.

🏠 Homeownership Application Fair — April 25th

The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) is hosting a free Homeownership Application Fair on Saturday, April 25th at Pleasant View Gardens, 201 Asquith Street. Learn how to apply for homeownership programs, ask questions, and explore your path to owning a home. This is a real opportunity — bring your ID and questions.

🌍 Earth Day: April 22nd — Free Community Events

Earth Day brings free events across Baltimore including park cleanups with free food, plant giveaways, and community gardens opening for the season. Participating in your neighborhood keeps it safe and healthy — and it's a great way to meet your neighbors.

📋 Expungement Clinics — Clear Your Record This Spring

Maryland Legal Aid offers free expungement clinics in April. A clean record can unlock housing, employment, and benefits that were previously out of reach. See page 2 for details on how expungement works and what you may qualify for.

Spring Health Reminders

🤧 Allergy season peaks in April — ask your doctor about free antihistamines through Medicaid

🦟 Check window screens and seal gaps to keep pests out as weather warms

🧴 Sun protection matters — sunscreen is covered by many insurance plans

☀️ Longer days = more time for walks, outdoor exercise, and community connection

IN THIS ISSUE

APR 15 Tax Filing Deadline
APR 22 Earth Day Events
APR 25 HABC Homeownership Fair
Know Your Rights: Tenant Protections
Expungement: Clear Your Record
Spring Food Programs Open
Medicaid & Benefits Review
Mental Health Awareness
Financial Literacy Tools
Community Resources Table

📅 APRIL KEY DATES AT A GLANCE

April 15 — Tax Return Deadline

April 22 — Earth Day / Community Cleanups

April 25 — HABC Homeownership Fair, 201 Asquith St

April 28-30 — Waverly Book Fest (free)

May 1 — YouthWorks Summer Job Prep Deadline

Ongoing — Community Garden Plot Applications Open

1,870

New housing vouchers distributed by HABC in the past year — is your name on the waitlist?

Free

Tax prep still available through CASH Campaign of Maryland — don't leave your refund on the table

211

One number to call for help with food, housing, utilities, benefits, and more — available 24/7

Know Your Rights & Your April Action Plan

⚖️ KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: TENANT PROTECTIONS IN BALTIMORE

As a resident in permanent supportive housing or any rental unit in Baltimore City, you have legal protections that many people don't know about. Understanding your rights is the first step to protecting your home.

Right to Habitable Housing: Your landlord must maintain heat, hot water, working plumbing, and freedom from pests. If your unit has serious problems, you can request repairs in writing. If they are not addressed, contact Baltimore City Housing at (410) 396-3575.
Right to Notice Before Eviction: In Maryland, a landlord must give written notice and file in court before removing you. You cannot be removed without a court order — even if you are behind on rent. If someone threatens to lock you out or remove your belongings without going to court first, that is illegal.
Right to a Court Hearing: If you receive an eviction notice, you have the right to appear in court and present your case. Show up — many evictions are dismissed or delayed when tenants appear. Free legal help is available through Maryland Legal Aid and HPRP (see resource table).
Right Against Retaliation: A landlord cannot evict you or raise your rent in retaliation for reporting a housing code violation or organizing with other tenants.
Right to a Receipt: Always get a written receipt when you pay rent. This is your proof of payment.

Questions about your rights? Call Maryland Legal Aid at (410) 539-5340 or 211 for immediate referral to free housing legal help.

STEP 1: File Your Taxes by April 15th — Free Help Is Available

If you haven't filed yet, free tax preparation is still available through the CASH Campaign of Maryland. Eligible households earning under $67,000 can file federal and state returns at no cost through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. Don't skip filing — even if you have little or no income, you may be owed money back through credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit. Visit cashmd.org or call (410) 234-8040 to find a site near you.

STEP 2: Consider Expungement — Remove Barriers to Housing and Work

A criminal record can block you from jobs, apartments, and benefits — even for old, minor offenses. Maryland law allows many charges and convictions to be expunged (removed from public records). Free expungement clinics are held regularly by Maryland Legal Aid and JOTF. Your case manager can help you find out if you qualify and connect you to a free clinic. Call Maryland Legal Aid at (410) 539-5340 or visit mdlab.org.

STEP 3: Review Your Benefits Before Summer

April is the time to make sure all your benefits are current before summer disruptions. Check your SNAP recertification date at MarylandBenefits.gov. Review your Medicaid coverage — if you started a new job or your income changed, report it within 10 days. For SSI/SSDI recipients, any earned income must be reported to Social Security to avoid overpayment issues. Contact your case manager if anything has changed.

Can My Record Be Expunged in Maryland?

What is expungement? Expungement removes a charge or conviction from public criminal records. After expungement, you are generally not required to disclose that charge on job applications, rental applications, or benefit forms.

What can be expunged? In Maryland, many charges are now eligible including: charges that were dropped or resulted in "not guilty" verdicts, certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period, and some lower-level drug offenses. The list of eligible offenses was expanded by the Maryland Second Chance Act.

What CANNOT be expunged? Generally, violent felonies, DUI convictions, and sex offenses cannot be expunged. An attorney can review your specific record.

How long does it take? The court process typically takes 60-90 days after filing. Free clinics can file the paperwork for you at no cost.

Free Help: Maryland Legal Aid: (410) 539-5340 | Job Opportunities Task Force: (410) 234-8040 | HPRP: (410) 685-6589

💡 Did You Know? The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The EITC is one of the most powerful anti-poverty tools available — but millions of eligible people never claim it. If you worked any amount in 2025, you may qualify for a refundable tax credit worth up to $7,830 for families with three or more children, or up to $632 even with no children. You must file a tax return to claim it — it is not automatic. A free tax preparer at any VITA site can calculate your credit. Visit cashmd.org or call 211 to find a location.

Spring Food, Health & Community Resources

🥦 Fresh Food Season Is Here

Farmers Markets Open in April

32nd Street Farmers Market — Every Saturday, 7am-12pm, Waverly neighborhood. Accepts SNAP/EBT. Double your dollars with market matching programs.
Baltimore Farmers' Market & Bazaar — Sundays April–December under the JFX, Holliday & Saratoga Streets. Free admission, SNAP accepted.
Waverly Main Street Market — Wednesdays, May through November, 3–7pm. Accessible by MTA bus.

WIC & Senior Vouchers: If you receive WIC or are a senior, you may qualify for Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers worth up to $28 per season to spend on fresh produce. Ask your case manager or visit fns.usda.gov/fmnp.

Community Gardens: Apply for Your Plot

Baltimore Recreation & Parks has community garden plots available across the city, many free or very low cost for income-qualifying residents. Grow your own vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Tools, seeds, and water access are provided. This is one of the best ways to reduce your food bill and improve your nutrition all summer long.

Visit bcrp.baltimorecity.gov or call (410) 396-7900. Applications for spring plots are open now — spots fill up fast.

🧠 Mental Health Awareness Month Starts in May

Prepare Now: Stress, Transitions & Your Mental Health

Spring can bring both opportunity and stress — job changes, benefit renewals, family transitions. It's normal to feel overwhelmed. Mental health is health.

Signs you may need support: trouble sleeping, feeling hopeless or irritable for more than two weeks, withdrawing from people you care about, difficulty managing daily tasks.

Free and low-cost help is available:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, 24/7, free
Baltimore Crisis Response (BCRI): (410) 433-5175, 24/7 mobile crisis teams
Chase Brexton Health: (410) 837-2050 — mental health services, sliding scale
Total Health Care: (410) 383-8300 — behavioral health, all insurance accepted

Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your case manager can make a referral if you need it.

💊 Medication Costs Too High?

If you are on Medicaid, most prescriptions should be low or no cost. If you are uninsured or underinsured:

GoodRx (goodrx.com) — free discount cards, often 50–80% off at local pharmacies
NeedyMeds (needymeds.org) — pharmaceutical patient assistance programs for brand-name drugs
Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program (MPAP): for Medicare beneficiaries with limited income — call (410) 767-5397

Your Credit Score — What It Is and Why It Matters

Your credit score is a 3-digit number (usually 300–850) that tells landlords, employers, and lenders how reliably you pay your bills. A higher score opens doors; a low score can be a barrier to housing, jobs, and utilities. Here's what you need to know:

What affects your score most: Payment history (35%) — paying bills on time is the single biggest factor. Amounts owed (30%) — how much of your available credit you use. Length of history (15%) — older accounts help. New credit (10%) — applying for many things at once hurts.

Check your score for free: You are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) at annualcreditreport.com. Review it for errors — errors are common and can be disputed for free.

Building credit from scratch: A secured credit card (where you deposit money as collateral) is one of the easiest ways to begin. Pay it in full every month. The CASH Campaign of Maryland offers free one-on-one financial coaching to help you build a plan. Call (410) 234-8040 or visit cashmd.org.

April Community Resources and Services

Organization	Service	Phone	Details
CASH Campaign of Maryland	Free Tax Prep / Financial Coaching	(410) 234-8040 cashmd.org	Tax deadline April 15. Free VITA tax prep for households under $67K. One-on-one coaching, credit building, budget plans
Maryland Legal Aid	Free Legal Services	(410) 539-5340 mdlab.org	Free expungement clinics, eviction defense, benefits appeals. Walk-in clinics monthly. Income-qualified
Job Opportunities Task Force	Employment / Expungement	(410) 234-8040 jotf.org	Job training, placement assistance, and expungement help. Call for current program availability. Website may load slowly — call directly if needed
Goodwill Career Centers	Job Readiness	(410) 837-1800 goodwillches.org	Resume writing, interview prep, computer training, work clothes closet. Walk-ins welcome
YouthWorks	Youth Employment (14-21)	(410) 545-1820 youthworks.oedworks.com	Summer jobs program. Prep applications now for June-July program. $15/hr paid positions
HABC — Housing Authority	Housing Vouchers / Homeownership	(410) 396-3232 habc.org	April 25 Homeownership Fair at 201 Asquith St. Also distributing housing vouchers — check waitlist status
Homeless Persons Representation Project	Housing Legal Help	(410) 685-6589 hprplaw.org	Free eviction defense, landlord disputes, discrimination. Serves low-income renters and those at risk of homelessness
Baltimore Crisis Response (BCRI)	Mental Health / Crisis	(410) 433-5175 bcresponse.org	24/7 crisis line and mobile teams. Also dial or text 988 for the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Chase Brexton Health	Primary / Mental Health Care	(410) 837-2050 chasebrexton.org	Medical, dental, mental health, HIV services. Sliding scale fees. Same-day appointments available
Total Health Care	Community Health	(410) 383-8300 totalhealthcare.org	Comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health. Accepts all insurance including Medicaid
Health Care Access Maryland	Insurance Enrollment	(410) 649-0532 healthcareaccessmaryland.org	Free help enrolling in Medicaid, Medicare, or marketplace plans. Report income changes to keep coverage current
Maryland Food Bank	Food Assistance	(410) 737-8282 mdfoodbank.org	Mobile pantries and distributions across Baltimore. Visit website for April schedule and locations near you
Baltimore Food Hub	Fresh Food / Training	(410) 870-9285 baltimorefoodhub.com	Produce distributions and culinary job training programs. East Baltimore campus at 1801 E Oliver St
Paul's Place	Multi-Service Center	(410) 625-0775 paulsplaceoutreach.org	Hot meals Mon–Fri, food pantry, clothing, showers, case management. 1118 Ward St, Southwest Baltimore
211 Maryland	Resource Navigation	Call or text 211 211md.org	Free 24/7 help finding food, housing, utilities, health, and community resources anywhere in Maryland

🌿 Earth Day April 22nd — Get Involved in Your Neighborhood

Earth Day is a great chance to connect with your community, improve your block, and access free resources. Baltimore neighborhoods host park cleanups with free snacks and supplies, tree plantings, and resource fairs. Participating in your community is also good for your mental health — studies show that people who feel connected to their neighbors report lower stress and greater wellbeing. Watch for flyers in your building or ask your case manager about local events.

IMPORTANT: Report Any Changes to CHA Within 10 Days

What to report: New jobs or changes in hours/wages, unemployment benefits, SSI/SSDI changes, child support, settlement payments, tax refunds over $2,000, or any other new income source.

Why it matters: Timely reporting keeps your housing benefits accurate and protects you from back-charges or loss of assistance.

How to report: Contact your CHA case manager immediately when any income or household change occurs. Don't wait until your next scheduled meeting.

APRIL CRITICAL REMINDERS

Tax Deadline: April 15 — file now for free at cashmd.org or call 211. Don't miss out on EITC credits.

Expungement: Free clinics available through Maryland Legal Aid and JOTF. A clean record opens doors.

Tenant Rights: You cannot be removed without a court order. Show up to any court hearing.

HABC Homeownership Fair: April 25 at 201 Asquith St. Come learn about your path to homeownership.

Benefits Check: Verify your SNAP and Medicaid are current before summer. Report income changes within 10 days.

Mental Health: Call or text 988 anytime. Crisis support is free and confidential.

Your Case Manager: We are here every step of the way. Reach out — that's what we're for.

COMMUNITY HOUSING ASSOCIATES