Housing and Human Welfare Committee Meeting - July 21, 2026

The Housing and Human Welfare Committee of the Annapolis City Council met on July 21, 2026, to receive updates on the management and conditions of several affordable housing communities. The committee heard presentations from property owners and managers, questioned them on maintenance, communication, and health concerns, and later accepted public testimony from residents. No formal votes were taken, but the committee set expectations for follow-up and additional data.

Consent Calendar

• Roll call established presence of Aldermen O'Neill, Smith Brown, and Conte. The agenda was approved by voice vote. Minutes from the March 17, 2026 committee meeting were also approved.

Oberry Court (Penrose Companies) Update (ID-58-26)

• Jason Newman (Vice President, Asset Management, Penrose Companies) presented alongside legal counsel, operations, and maintenance executives. He acknowledged resident complaints and outlined corrective actions.
• Positions: Penrose committed to improving communication, considering an AI platform (Elise AI) for 24/7 resident support, but emphasized building personal relationship first through the property manager.
• Key numbers: From April 15 to July 15, 2026, the property generated 311 work orders, of which 275 (88%) were completed. Additional maintenance resources were deployed: 3 permanent, 2 traveling, and 2 temporary maintenance staff (7 total).
• Trash: Added a Sunday pickup to existing Tuesday schedule; dumpster cameras are under consideration.
• Snow removal: Evaluating contractor performance after a challenging winter; plan changes before next season.
• Moisture/Mold: Follow procedures per Maryland Tenant Mold Protection Act; providing 10-day follow-up letters to residents.
• Property Manager Dicola Dickerson (hired April 2026) stated no regular tenant meetings currently, but she welcomes facilitation.

Homes at the Glen Update (ID-59-26)

• Dana (President, Homes for America) and Frank Fudala (Senior Vice President, Habitat America) presented. Homes at the Glen is a 56-unit lease-purchase community; 22 homes were sold before the program expired in 2025. The next purchase opportunity is expected around 2032.
• Homes for America spent approximately $1 million on capital improvements (roofs, HVAC, water heaters, appliances) in the last two years.
• Plumbing issues: Specific incidents in Units 25 and 28 (clogged toilets) were addressed immediately; one resident was placed in a hotel. Frank stated these were isolated, not systemic.
• Work orders: Since January 2026, 128 work orders, 7 outstanding.
• Occupancy: 100% with a waitlist of about 1.5 years.
• Challenges: Staffing shortages in property management industry; operating expenses rising faster than rents, threatening preservation of affordable housing.
• Committee: Asked about resident services and management's response time. Resident services available but no formal homeownership counseling until next purchase period.

Annapolis Gardens Update (ID-20-26)

• Attorney Latisi Rollins with Melanie Holmes and Grayson Flynn represented the property. They addressed snow removal struggles (elderly population), plumbing backups (tree root growth and pipe blockages), and communication issues.
• Measures: Implemented AI platform (Lease AI) and portal for work orders. They plan quarterly jetting of sewer lines.
• Data: 150 units (75 LIHTC, 75 project-based voucher), 93% occupancy.
• Safety: Camera count not provided verbally; committee requested count and lighting audit. Playground light was fixed after being hit.
• Community center: Programs run Monday-Thursday (youth mentoring and activities). Residents face costs for private events; key fob access considered.
• Redevelopment: Property is being purchased by Winds; redevelopment is expected within next couple of years.
• Responsiveness: Committee noted unresponsiveness to rent ledger disputes. Management said residents should come to office or contact via portal.

Bywater Mutual Homes Update (ID-60-26)

• Stacey Ringold (Regional Property Manager, Quantum Real Estate) and Janice Sargrove (new Property Manager) with resident board president Denise Fisher. This is a cooperative housing community.
• Accounting: Bywater was not required to have a rental license until 2021; a city notice told residents not to pay rent during the licensing gap. This created back rent balances. Management is working with each resident to verify balances and offers repayment agreements; no evictions have been filed yet.
• Mold: Issues due to condensation. Contractor ESI performs moisture testing; relocation offered (to another unit or hotel) if needed.
• Maintenance: Fully staffed as of next week. Backlog acknowledged, but they are responding.
• Process: Walk-in hours 8:30-4:30, phone, portal, after-hours emergency line.

Admiral Oaks (Enterprise Community Development) Update (ID-57-26)

• Elizabeth Hawley (Director of Asset Management), Princess Robinson (Regional Manager), Sherry Conde (VP Operations), Jamila Palmer (Property Manager) presented.
• Capacity: 159 units, 100% occupied, extensive waitlist.
• Inspections: City's 100% unit inspection completed in two days with minimal findings (caulking, smoke detectors).
• Work orders: 306 completed from April 1 to July 16, 2026. Average completion time less than one day. Currently only 4 open orders (from July 20-21).
• Safety: 42 cameras upgraded in 2025, license plate reader, security guard 5 days/week, cameras monitored 24/7.
• Trash: Waste Management picks up 6 days/week; bulk pickup twice monthly.
• Snow removal: Combination of resident responsibility (townhouses) and contractor for common areas.
• Ledger disputes: Some pandemic-related, but majority in good standing; disputed ledgers handled through court if necessary.
• Community meetings: Held quarterly with flyers and email blasts. Residents have concerns about Boys & Girls Club occupying the community room; Enterprise is working on scheduling.
• Resident services: Host events (cookouts, back-to-school) funded by operations budget.
• Committee: Noted past management turnover but current team has stabilized.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The committee opened the floor for public comment (2 minutes per speaker). Approximately 12 residents and advocates spoke, expressing frustration with poor housing conditions and unresponsive management.
• Penrose residents: Detailed stories of mold, water leaks, sewage backups, misapplied rent adjustments, lack of hot water, and harmful health impacts. One former employee corroborated that rent ledgers are not updated and calls go unanswered. A resident described a 70-year-old woman forced to use a bucket due to plumbing failure.
• Bay Forest (Habitat America) residents: Reported five consecutive days without hot water, neglected repairs, and a resident in hospice who died before his apartment could be made habitable (maintenance not completed).
• Admiral Oaks resident: Asserted conditions are "worse than when [they] grew up."
• General sentiment: Several speakers stated these issues have persisted for years and called on the city council to hold management companies accountable, enforce the city code, and act with urgency. One speaker warned of impending lawsuits against both management and the city.
• Committee: Aldermen thanked residents for their testimony and asked the city attorney's office to compile data on fines levied against housing properties.

Key Outcomes

• No formal motions or votes were taken on the agenda items.
• The committee gained detailed insight into operational challenges and resident grievances across five major affordable housing communities.
• Management representatives committed to: providing additional documentation (camera counts, lighting audit, work order details) and improving communication with residents.
• Committee requested that the city attorney provide information on fines and violations issued to these properties.
• The meeting adjourned with the understanding that the committee will continue oversight and potentially address these issues at future meetings.