Yesterday’s Recharge Baltimore Housing Summit was a resounding success, bringing together over 170 industry professionals for a full day of insightful discussions, networking, and strategic planning. The Summit provided an invaluable platform for those seeking to engage with Baltimore’s vibrant housing market, unlocking opportunities for growth and community impact.

Key Highlights:

Welcome and Opening Remarks:
Malcolm Hollensteiner,MMBBA President and Senior VP at Sandy Spring Bank, opened the day with a call to action: building Baltimore’s future requires a collective effort and shared success.Gene Frazier, VP at Highlands Residential Mortgage and the day’s emcee, set the tone for a dynamic event by outlining the agenda.

Planning for Baltimore’s Future:
Alice Kennedy,Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and Community Development, outlined Baltimore’s strategic approach to addressing housing challenges while fostering development and growth.

From Baltimore With Love:
Bobby Blackwell, Director of Sales and Marketing for From Baltimore With Love (FBWL), shared his organization's inspiring work, highlighting local pride and community-driven success.

Fireside Chat – The Future of Baltimore’s Housing Market:
Jake Day, Maryland Secretary of Housing & Community Development, joinedState Delegate N. Scott PhillipsandFaith Leach, Baltimore City's Chief Administrative Officer, for an engaging discussion on opportunities for growth and community impact in Baltimore’s housing sector.

Panel Discussion: A Vision for Baltimore – Aligning Growth with Opportunity:
Moderated byMark Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, this panel featuredR. Daniel Okonkwoof JPMorgan Chase,Chrissy Thortonof Associated Black Charities, andPatrick Bellof MAG Partners. The conversation emphasized the importance of aligning housing growth with equitable opportunities for Baltimore’s diverse communities.

Bridging Gaps: Collaborative Strategies for a Resilient Housing Market:
Wendy Penn, Associate VP of Affordable Housing Initiatives at the Mortgage Bankers Association, introduced the MBA Convergence Framework, which was followed by a panel moderated byGene Frazier. Panelists includingState Senator Charles Sydnor,Milan Griffinof HomeFree-USA, andDr. Alvin Hathawaydiscussed solutions to strengthen Baltimore’s housing market through collaboration.

Developer Panel – Unlocking Market Potential:
A highlight of the day, this session featured David Brambleof MCB Real Estate,Sean Closkeyof ReBUILD Metro, and Rian Hargraveof Onyx Development. These leaders shared innovative strategies to unlock Baltimore’s market potential and support the city’s growing economy.

Programs & Initiatives Panel – Empowering Homeownership:
Moderated byScott Phillipsof Embrace Home Loans, the panel featured experts likeCatherine Kraemer-Daleof Maryland DHCD andDan Ellisof NHS Baltimore. They discussed tools and programs available to help residents achieve homeownership and drive economic growth in Baltimore.

Closing Remarks and Action Planning:
The day wrapped up with Malcolm Hollensteiner urging attendees to turn the ideas and strategies discussed into actionable plans to move Baltimore’s housing market forward. The Summit concluded with a lively networking reception, where participants continued conversations and forged new connections.

The Recharge Baltimore Housing Summit showcased Baltimore as a city on the rise, full of potential for real estate development and investment. It underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation as we move toward a more resilient and inclusive housing market. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to this powerful event! Stay tuned for more ways to engage with MMBBA as we continue to shape the future of Baltimore’s housing landscape.