October 2026 Newsletter

CHA Resident Newsletter
Community Housing Associates
October 2026 • Volume 10
communityhousingassociates.org
This Month’s Priority Actions
🗳️ Register to Vote — Deadline Tuesday, October 13
The general election is Tuesday, November 3. The last day to register online or by mail is October 13, and early voting runs October 22–29. Check your registration now so there are no surprises — your CHA case manager can help you check your status or request a mail-in ballot.
🏥 Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15
If you have Medicare, you can review and change your health and drug plan from October 15 through December 7. Changes take effect January 1, 2027. Your plan should have mailed a notice explaining what’s changing in cost and coverage next year — it’s worth reading before you decide.
❄️ Get Winter-Ready Before November 1
Clocks fall back on November 1 — a good day to test your smoke alarms. Maryland’s winter utility shutoff protections also begin November 1, and energy assistance applications are open now. Don’t wait for the first cold snap.
Hurricane Season Winds Down
🌀 The Atlantic hurricane season officially ends November 30 — October can still bring storms
🧰 Keep your storm kit stocked until the season closes; then restock for next year
☎️ Sign up for BMORE Alert and MEMA alerts if you haven’t already
IN THIS ISSUE
- OCT 2–4 Fell’s Point Fun Festival
- OCT 4–10 Fire Prevention Week
- OCT 13 Voter Registration Deadline
- OCT 15 Medicare Open Enrollment Begins
- OCT 22–29 Early Voting
- NOV 1 Clocks Fall Back
- Voting in Maryland: Your Dates and Options
- New Maryland Housing Laws (Effective Oct. 1)
- Housing Policy & News Snapshot
- Community Resources Table
📅 OCTOBER KEY DATES AT A GLANCE
October 12 — Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day (federal holiday — most banks and post offices closed)
October 13 — Last day to register to vote online or by mail
October 14 — Social Security announces the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment
October 15 — Medicare Open Enrollment begins; Hispanic Heritage Month ends
October 16 — No school for Baltimore City Schools students (professional development day); early release the day before, Oct. 15
October 22–29 — Early voting
October 27 — Deadline to request a mail-in ballot
November 1 — Clocks fall back; winter shutoff protections begin; Maryland Health Connection opens
November 3 — Election Day (Baltimore City Schools closed)
Getting Ready: Your October Action Plan
🗳️ VOTING IN MARYLAND: YOUR DATES AND OPTIONS
Every eligible resident has the right to vote. Here’s what to know before the November 3 general election:
- Register or check your registration by October 13. You can register online or by mail (mailed forms must be postmarked by October 13). You can also register in person on Election Day.
- Vote early, October 22–29. Early voting gives you a full week to vote before Election Day — a good option if your schedule is unpredictable.
- Prefer to vote by mail? Your request for a mail-in ballot must be received by October 27. Voted ballots must be received or postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.
- Need help? Call the Maryland State Board of Elections at (800) 222-8683 or visit elections.maryland.gov. Your CHA case manager can help with the practical steps — checking your registration, requesting a ballot, or finding where to vote. Who you vote for is always your own choice.
STEP 1: Check Your Voter Registration This Week
Moved recently or changed your name? Update your registration before the October 13 deadline. It takes only a few minutes online, and your case manager can sit with you while you do it.
STEP 2: Review Your Health Coverage
If you have Medicare, open enrollment runs October 15–December 7 — compare your current plan against next year’s costs and your prescriptions. Free help is available at 1-800-MEDICARE or by calling 211. If you’re not on Medicare, Maryland Health Connection open enrollment begins November 1 and runs through January 15, 2027.
STEP 3: Winter-Proof Your Home Before November 1
Apply for energy assistance through OHEP if you haven’t yet (the 2026–2027 season is open), test your smoke alarms when the clocks change, and report any heating problems to your property manager or case manager right away — early reports get repaired sooner. Applying for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) also lets eligible households be covered by the Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) during winter.
NEW MARYLAND HOUSING LAWS: IN EFFECT OCTOBER 1
📌 What’s Changed for Renters
- Fair Chance Housing Act (SB 937): Housing providers with five or more units are now limited in how they may consider an applicant’s criminal history during screening.
- Subsidy and credit protections (SB 335/HB 315): Applicants who use income-based housing subsidies are protected from discrimination, and providers must offer tenants the option of having on-time rent payments reported to credit agencies.
- Cooling requirement (SB 12): Starting next summer, certain units in buildings with 10 or more units must be able to keep cooling at 80°F or lower between June 1 and September 30.
These laws mainly govern landlords and housing providers. If you have questions about how they apply to your situation, ask your case manager or contact Maryland Legal Aid at (410) 539-5340.
🔥 Fire Prevention Week, October 4–10: Charge Safely
This year’s theme is "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower," focused on lithium-ion batteries in phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, and scooters. Use the charger that came with your device, don’t charge on beds or couches, and stop using any battery that swells, overheats, or smells odd. When the clocks change on November 1, test every smoke alarm and replace batteries as needed.
💉 Fall Health Check-In
Fall is the time to get your flu shot. Ask your provider or pharmacy about flu and COVID-19 vaccines, and if you haven’t had a recent check-up, Chase Brexton Health offers medical care on a sliding scale (see the resource table on page 3).
💵 Social Security COLA Announcement: October 14
The Social Security Administration is scheduled to announce the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment on October 14, with new amounts beginning in January 2027 payments. When your new benefit notice arrives, share it with your case manager so your records stay accurate.
📰 Housing Policy & News Snapshot
Baltimore City
- Baltimore Station opens 10-bed transitional housing program for women veteransHoodline · September 25, 2026
The West Baltimore nonprofit has launched its first housing program built specifically for homeless women veterans, 37 years after it began serving people experiencing homelessness.
- Baltimore clears 12 housing program homes amid scrutiny of rental inspectionsBaltimore Sun · September 26, 2026
City officials say inspections of all 12 homes in a city housing assistance program found no threats to residents, as attention on Baltimore's rental inspection practices continues.
Maryland
- Three new Maryland housing laws take effect October 1Maryland DHCD · September 22, 2026
DHCD reminds housing providers that the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, new protections for tenants using income-based subsidies, and an air-conditioning requirement for larger rental buildings all take effect Oct. 1.
- Maryland DHCD publishes funding details for 2026 Competitive Round 2Maryland DHCD · September 25, 2026
Multifamily Housing Notice 26-13 outlines the tax credit and Rental Housing Financing Program resources available to developers in the second 2026 competitive funding round.
Federal
- HUD reopens FY2026 Continuum of Care competition with Sept. 30 deadlineNational Association of Counties · September 24, 2026
After an appeals court let HUD proceed while it considers an appeal of the August ruling that vacated the FY2026 CoC NOFO, the agency reinstated the competition with a September 30 application deadline.
National
- AP: Federal shift away from Housing First is upending homelessness programsAssociated Press (via ABC News) · September 30, 2026
The Associated Press reports that the administration's move toward a Treatment First approach is forcing providers to rethink permanent supportive housing, with some projects cancelled and others converting apartments to transitional housing.
See the full Housing Policy & News Dashboard | Browse the news archive
October Community Events & Resources
🎉 October Community Events
Mark These Dates
- October 2–4: Fell’s Point Fun Festival — free, three days of live music, food, and family fun on the historic waterfront (Fri. 5–9 PM, Sat. 11 AM–8 PM, Sun. noon–5 PM).
- October 2–4: International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards at the Lexington Market plaza — free admission to the festival grounds (some performances and tours are ticketed).
- October 3, 11 AM–3 PM: See Beyond Festival at the Maryland School for the Blind — free.
- October 17: Baltimore Running Festival at the Inner Harbor — plan for downtown road closures if you’re traveling that morning.
- October 24: The Great Baltimore Lantern Parade & Dia de los Muertos Festival at Patterson Park — festival at 4 PM, parade at 7 PM.
- October 2–31: ZooBoo at the Maryland Zoo — seasonal Halloween programming (ticketed).
🍂 October Observances
What’s Happening This Month
- Through October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month — see the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s "Viva la Cultura" programming at prattlibrary.org.
- October 12: Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day — a federal holiday. Most banks and post offices are closed; Baltimore City Schools are in session.
- October 15, 16 and 23: Baltimore City Schools — early release on Thursday, October 15 (afternoon parent-teacher conferences); no school for students on Friday, October 16 (professional development day); early release on Friday, October 23. Early release means students are dismissed four hours after the school day starts. Dates apply to most schools — confirm with your school.
- October 31: Halloween — if you’re out after dark, wear something visible, carry a flashlight, and walk with a trusted adult if you’re with children.
- All month: Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Free, confidential help is available 24/7 at the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233.
October Community Resources and Services
| Organization | Service | Phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland State Board of Elections | Voter Registration & Voting | (800) 222-8683 elections.maryland.gov | Register by Oct. 13; early voting Oct. 22–29; Election Day Nov. 3 |
| Medicare | Open Enrollment Help | 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) medicare.gov | Open enrollment Oct. 15–Dec. 7; changes start Jan. 1, 2027 |
| Maryland Health Connection | Health Insurance Enrollment | (855) 642-8572 marylandhealthconnection.gov | Open enrollment opens Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, 2027 |
| Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) | Energy Assistance | (800) 332-6347 MarylandBenefits.gov | 2026–2027 season open. Apply before a shutoff notice, not after |
| BGE Customer Assistance | Utility Payment Plans | (800) 685-0123 bge.com | Payment plans, Budget Billing. Call BEFORE missing a payment |
| Baltimore City Public Schools | School Calendar & Information | (410) 396-8637 baltimorecityschools.org | Early release Oct. 15 and 23; no school Oct. 16; closed Nov. 3 (Election Day) |
| Maryland Legal Aid | Free Legal Help | (410) 539-5340 mdlab.org | Help with benefit denials, housing issues, and questions about new tenant laws |
| Maryland Food Bank | Food Assistance | (410) 737-8282 mdfoodbank.org | Mobile pantries and family food boxes at Baltimore sites citywide |
| Fell’s Point Fun Festival | Community Festival | baltimore.org | Oct. 2–4, free admission |
| The Maryland Zoo | ZooBoo | marylandzoo.org | Oct. 2–31, ticketed seasonal event |
| National Domestic Violence Hotline | 24/7 Confidential Support | 1-800-799-7233 thehotline.org | Free, confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | 24/7 Crisis Support | Call or text 988 988lifeline.org | Free, confidential crisis support, day or night |
| Baltimore Crisis Response | Mental Health | (410) 433-5175 | 24/7 crisis support for Baltimore City residents |
| Chase Brexton Health | Primary / Mental Health | (410) 837-2050 chasebrexton.org | Medical, dental, and mental health care. Sliding scale, Medicaid accepted |
| Baltimore City 311 | Non-Emergency City Services | Call or text 311 balt311.baltimorecity.gov | Event info, non-emergency city services, general questions |
| 211 Maryland | Resource Navigation | Call or text 211 211md.org | Free 24/7 help finding food, utility help, and more statewide |
IMPORTANT: Report Any Changes to CHA Within 10 Days
What to report: New jobs or changes in hours/wages, unemployment benefits, SSI/SSDI or Social Security changes (including your 2027 COLA notice), child support, settlement payments, tax refunds over $2,000, household composition changes (adding or removing a family member), 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.
OCTOBER CRITICAL REMINDERS
Voter Registration: Due Tuesday, October 13 (online or postmarked by mail).
Early Voting: Thursday, October 22 through Thursday, October 29.
Mail-In Ballot Request: Must be received by Tuesday, October 27.
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3.
Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15–December 7.
November 1: Clocks fall back — test smoke alarms. Winter shutoff protections begin; Maryland Health Connection opens.
Energy Assistance: 2026–2027 season is open — apply before a shutoff notice, not after.
Fire Safety: Charge devices safely — Fire Prevention Week is October 4–10.
Your Case Manager: We are here every step of the way. Reach out — that’s what we’re for.
Community Housing Associates is committed to being your trusted advisor in permanent supportive housing.
Here’s to a safe, warm, and well-supported fall.
For questions, contact your CHA case manager directly or call 211 for immediate resource referrals. In a mental health crisis, call or text 988.