March 2026 Newsletter - Community Housing Associates

SPRING FORWARD - NEW OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD

March brings warmer weather, spring renewal, and fresh opportunities. Tax refunds are arriving, OHEP assistance deadline is March 31st, and spring job fairs are starting. Take advantage of longer days and new energy to move forward on your goals.

March Priority Actions

URGENT: OHEP Deadline March 31st

Last chance for energy assistance this season. If you haven't applied for OHEP, do it NOW. Applications must be submitted by March 31st. Processing takes 2-3 weeks, so don't wait until the last minute.

Use Your Tax Refund Wisely

Refunds are arriving via direct deposit and paper check. Create a plan before spending. Pay past-due bills, build emergency savings, catch up on rent, or invest in job readiness. Your case manager can help create a smart refund plan.

Spring Jobs and Training Programs

March job fairs are happening across Baltimore. Construction, hospitality, and seasonal work ramps up in spring. Update your resume, refresh work clothes, and attend job readiness workshops. Many programs offer free training and certification.

Spring Health and Safety

Transition Season Tips:

Schedule spring medical check-ups and vaccinations

Check smoke and CO detectors when clocks change

Report any winter damage to units (leaks, drafts)

Daylight Saving Time begins March 9th - spring forward!

Your March Action Plan

STEP 1: Apply for OHEP Before March 31st Deadline

This is your last opportunity for 2025-2026 heating assistance. OHEP provides up to $1,000 toward utility bills. Even if winter is ending, you can still catch up on past-due amounts. Apply online at MarylandBenefits.gov or call (800) 332-6347. Don't lose this benefit by waiting too long.

STEP 2: Create a Smart Tax Refund Strategy

Tax refunds are arriving in March. Before spending, make a plan. Priority order: past-due housing costs, utilities, emergency fund (aim for $500-$1000), work expenses (clothes, transportation), debt reduction. Avoid impulse purchases. Your case manager can help you maximize the long-term benefit of your refund.

STEP 3: Explore Spring Employment Opportunities

Spring brings new jobs in construction, landscaping, hospitality, and seasonal work. March job fairs offer immediate interviews and on-the-spot hiring. Free job training programs start new cohorts this month. Update your work documents - ID, Social Security card, professional references. Transportation assistance may be available.

March 2026 Employment Opportunities

Baltimore employers are actively hiring for spring and summer positions. Many jobs offer same-day interviews, immediate start dates, and paid training. Construction season is ramping up, hospitality is preparing for tourism season, and seasonal maintenance work is abundant. Don't let a criminal record stop you - many Second Chance employers are participating.

Upcoming Baltimore Job Fairs - March 2026

Baltimore City Hiring Fair - March 12, 10am-2pm, Convention Center. City government positions, immediate interviews
Construction Trades Fair - March 18, 9am-1pm, CCBC Dundalk. Union and non-union positions, apprenticeships
Hospitality & Tourism Fair - March 21, 11am-3pm, Inner Harbor Marriott. Hotels, restaurants, attractions hiring
Healthcare Support Jobs - March 25, 10am-2pm, Morgan State. CNAs, home health aides, medical assistants
Second Chance Employer Fair - March 27, 1pm-4pm, Eager Park. Background-friendly employers, expungement info

Free Job Training Starting in March

Job Opportunities Task Force (JOTF): Free job training, placement assistance, and expungement help for Baltimore residents. New programs start regularly. Call (410) 234-8040 or visit jotf.org (if the site is temporarily unavailable, call directly).

YouthWorks (14-21): Summer job program applications open. Earn while you learn. Visit youthworks.oedworks.com or call (410) 545-1820.

Goodwill Career Centers: Free job readiness, computer skills, resume help, and interview coaching. Multiple Baltimore locations with open enrollment. Visit goodwillches.org or call (410) 837-1800.

Smart Tax Refund Spending Plan

Priority 1 - Housing Stability: Pay any back rent, late fees, or deposit owed. Prevents eviction and protects your housing.

Priority 2 - Utilities: Clear past-due balances before warm weather. Summer cooling bills will come faster than you think.

Priority 3 - Emergency Fund: Save $500-$1000 in a separate account. This cushion prevents future crises.

Priority 4 - Work Investment: Professional clothes, work shoes, bus passes, tools, certifications that lead to better jobs.

Priority 5 - Health: Eyeglasses, dental work, medications that improve your quality of life and employability.

March Community Resources and Services

Organization	Service	Phone	Details
OHEP Energy Assistance	Utility Help	(800) 332-6347 MarylandBenefits.gov	DEADLINE MARCH 31 - Up to $1,000 assistance. Apply immediately online or by phone
Job Opportunities Task Force	Employment Training	(410) 234-8040 jotf.org	Free job training, placement assistance, expungement help. Call for current program availability. New cohorts start regularly
Goodwill Career Centers	Job Readiness	(410) 837-1800 goodwillches.org	Resume help, interview prep, computer training, work clothes. Walk-ins welcome at 5 locations
Baltimore City YouthWorks	Youth Jobs (14-21)	(410) 545-1820 youthworks.oedworks.com	Summer youth employment program. Paid work experience plus training. Apply early
CASH Campaign of Maryland	Financial Counseling	(410) 234-8040 cashmd.org	Free tax refund planning, budget coaching, debt management, savings accounts. One-on-one help
Baltimore Food Hub	Fresh Food Access	(410) 870-9285 baltimorefoodhub.com	Fresh produce distributions, farmers market vouchers, cooking classes. Spring season starts March
Maryland Food Bank	Food Assistance	(410) 737-8282 mdfoodbank.org	Mobile pantries, weekend distributions, senior boxes. Visit website for March schedule and locations
Health Care Access MD	Insurance Enrollment	(410) 649-0532 healthcareaccessmaryland.org	Special enrollment for qualifying life events. Free help with Medicaid, Medicare, marketplace plans
Chase Brexton Health	Medical Services	(410) 837-2050 chasebrexton.org	Primary care, dental, mental health, HIV services. Sliding scale fees. Same-day appointments
Total Health Care	Community Health	(410) 383-8300 totalhealthcare.org	Comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health. All insurance accepted including Medical Assistance
Baltimore Crisis Response	Mental Health	(410) 433-5175 bcresponse.org	24/7 crisis support, mobile crisis teams, peer counseling. Spring transitions can be challenging
Maryland Legal Aid	Free Legal Services	(410) 539-5340 mdlab.org	Housing, benefits, expungement, family law. Income-qualified. Multiple offices across Baltimore
Homeless Persons Representation	Housing Legal Help	(410) 685-6589 hprplaw.org	Eviction defense, landlord disputes, housing discrimination. Free representation for low-income tenants
Paul's Place	Multi-Service Center	(410) 625-0775 paulsplaceoutreach.org	Hot meals M-F, food pantry, clothing, showers, case management. 1118 Ward Street, Southwest

Spring Fresh Food Programs - Season Starting Now

Farmers Market Nutrition Program: WIC and senior vouchers available. Use at participating farmers markets for fresh produce. Season runs April-November. Visit fns.usda.gov/fmnp

Virtual Supermarket Program: Free fresh produce delivery to designated Baltimore community sites. No ID or proof of address required. Visit health.baltimorecity.gov/programs/food-access for locations and schedules.

Community Gardens: Plot applications open in March. Grow your own vegetables. Tools and seeds provided. Visit bcrp.baltimorecity.gov or call (410) 396-7900.

Important March Benefit Reminders:

SNAP Recertification: Check your renewal date. Missing deadlines causes benefits to stop. Online at MarylandBenefits.gov or call (800) 332-6347.

Medical Assistance: (855) 642-8572 or marylandhealthconnection.gov - Report income changes within 10 days. Spring jobs can affect eligibility.

SSI/SSDI: (800) 772-1213 or ssa.gov - Report all work income to Social Security immediately. Working while on disability has special rules.

211 Maryland: Call 211 or visit 211md.org - 24/7 help connecting to benefits, food, utilities, and community resources.

Rent Payment: Use tax refund to get current if behind. Being caught up by April 1st sets you up for housing stability through summer.

Spring Cleaning Your Finances - March Reset

March is perfect for financial fresh starts. Organize important documents, review benefit status, update contact information, and check your credit report free at annualcreditreport.com. Spring forward on your financial goals. Small steps in March create big wins by summer.

How Your Case Manager Can Help This Month

Rush OHEP application before March 31st deadline
Create smart spending plan for tax refunds
Register for job fairs and training programs
Update resumes and practice interview skills
Navigate benefit changes when starting work
Connect with spring food programs and farmers markets

IMPORTANT: Report Income Changes to CHA

Keep CHA Updated: You must report any income changes to Community Housing Associates within 10 days. This includes new jobs, changes in work hours, tax refunds over $2,000, bonuses, side gig earnings, or any other new sources of income. Failure to report changes can affect your housing assistance and may result in back-charges or loss of benefits.

What to Report: New employment, increased hours or wages, unemployment benefits, Social Security/SSI/SSDI changes, child support, settlement payments, and significant tax refunds.

How to Report: Contact your case manager immediately when income changes occur. Don't wait - timely reporting protects your housing stability.

MARCH CRITICAL REMINDERS

OHEP Deadline: March 31st is the final day for energy assistance. Apply NOW - don't wait.

Tax Refunds: Make a plan before spending. Housing and utilities first, then emergency savings.

Spring Jobs: Multiple job fairs and training programs starting. Update your documents and attend.

Daylight Saving: March 9th - spring forward. Check smoke detectors when changing clocks.

Fresh Food: Spring markets and gardens opening. Sign up for vouchers and garden plots.

Benefit Renewals: Check recertification dates. Don't let benefits lapse during transition season.

Your Case Manager: We're here to help you spring forward successfully. Let's connect.

COMMUNITY HOUSING ASSOCIATES