About Hamilton-Lauraville Healthy Neighborhood Initiative

Who We Are

Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative (HNI) began in 2001 as an initiative to target investment in Baltimore’s “middle neighborhoods” – those areas that are relatively stable, but not too distressed, and not overly competitive. Beginning with just a handful of neighborhoods, the program has expanded to cover 40 communities all across the city.

Healthy Neighborhoods is a partnership of banks, foundations, government and community organizations that helps strong but undervalued neighborhoods increase home values, market their communities, create high standards for property improvement and build strong connections among neighbors and schools. 

Where We Work

Hamilton-Lauraville Healthy Neighborhood areas are Arcadia, Beverly Hills, Hamilton Hills, Lauraville, Morgan Park, Moravia-Walther and Waltherson. By targeting the strongest, most marketable areas of a neighborhood to become the “postcard blocks” we can set high standards for the neighborhood as a whole and re-define the neighborhood’s image in terms of its best assets.

Block projects are designed to improve your neighborhood’s appearance, get to know your neighbors and build stronger communities. Block projects are a basic market and community building tool.

Healthy Neighborhoods could provide grants for you and your neighbors to complete a block improvement project that will enhance your block’s appearance. Check out the list of completed Block Projects throughout our community and to see if you live on a target block.

Did you know?  

All streets in the Hamilton-Lauraville Healthy Neighborhoods catchment areas are eligible for Home Improvement Loans. 

What We Offer

Purchase and Renovation Loan:

To acquire and rehab a home located on a target block with no maximum loan amount, 3% down , no mortgage insurance required, below prime interest rate, free consultation with in-house architect. You can borrow up to 110% or the post-rehab value. For target blocks only. 

Refinance and Renovation Loan:

Borrow up to 110% of after-rehab value, no private mortgage insurance, below prime interest rate, 2 points required as loan origination fee, and free design advice. For target blocks only. 

Home Improvement Loan:

Borrow between $5,000 and $20,000, below prime interest rate, and free consultation with an architect. For homes located anywhere within Arcadia, Beverly Hills, Hamilton Hills, Lauraville, Morgan Park, Moravia-Walther and Waltherson. 

Matching Grant:

Recipients of a Healthy Neighborhoods loans are eligible to receive up to a $10,000 matching grant to help with renovations/home improvements, as long as they meet the income guidelines and other requirements. For homes located anywhere within Arcadia, Beverly Hills, Hamilton Hills, Lauraville, Morgan Park, Moravia-Walther and Waltherson. 

Block Projects on Target Blocks:

Improve your neighborhood’s appearance and get to know your neighbors …do a block project. Healthy Neighborhoods could provide up to $5,000 for you and your neighbors to complete a block improvement project that will enhance your block’s appearance. 

Foreclosed or Vacant Properties:

Foreclosed or vacant houses are eligible for Purchase Renovation loans. It can be located anywhere within Arcadia, Beverly Hills, Hamilton Hills, Lauraville, Morgan Park, Moravia-Walther and Waltherson. 

NEW: Starting in 2019, all streets in Lauraville are eligible for all loan products. 

Contact our office today to learn how you can take advantage of the many programs Healthy Neighborhoods has to offer. Email us at HNI@HamiltonLauravilleMainStreet.org. 

Baltimore in the NEWS! June 2019

A new study by personal finance site SmartAsset sought to find

where homebuyers can get the best bang for their buck, and

named Baltimore among the most undervalued U.S. cities.

Charm City lands at No. 5 on the ranking, which compared 189

cities based on factors including the price of homes per square

foot and other quality of life metrics.

Baltimore was given a high score for the value of its homes,