SBCLT | MULTI - FAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TEAM | 12 UNITS OF ACCESSIBLE NET ZERO HOUSING FOR OWNERSHIP AT 50% AMI + COMMUNITY PARK | Curtis Bay, Baltimore

ACCESSIBLE & AFFORDABLE...Developing a New Model for Community Wealth

The Challenge: 

The South Baltimore Community Land Trust (SBCLT) approached us with a challenge that was fundamentally about development. In a community facing historic inequity, the goal was to create a new, replicable model for permanently affordable ownership housing that could serve as a tool for ecological, social, and economic justice. This required us to think beyond the building itself and develop a viable financial and legal framework for success.

The FADE Approach: 

Our role was to serve as a true partner in bringing this groundbreaking Development to life. Our process has been completely transparent, working hand-in-glove with the CLT to create the first-ever Passive House land trust model in Baltimore. This involved extensive pre-development work, including educating city officials on the benefits of this new typology and creating a framework that guarantees affordability for families at 50% of the Area Median Income. A core part of our development strategy has been to root the project in the local economy, actively engaging and training a local workforce in the high-performance construction techniques required for Passive House building.

The Outcome: 

Now under construction and taking shape on a formerly vacant lot, this project is a tangible outcome of a successful development process. The result will be more than just 12 affordable and healthy homes; it is the creation of a powerful new tool for community empowerment and wealth generation. By pioneering a new model of community-owned, sustainable housing, this project provides a clear, replicable path forward for how to build with accountability, fostering a stronger, healthier, and more equitable Baltimore.

Interested in community-owned, permanently affordable Passive House housing that advances ecological, social, and economic goals? We can help with strategy, financing, and delivery—from pre-development to construction.