Our History
The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) was established in 1937 to provide federally-funded housing programs and related services for Baltimore's low-income residents. HABC is one of the largest public housing authorities in the country. Currently, HABC serves over 19,500 households through its Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs.
Celebrating Over 80 Years of Public Housing in Baltimore
The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) has kept the promise of public housing alive. It has done so by maintaining and modernizing its buildings and enriching the lives of its residents through innovative social services, recreational and educational programs, and job training initiatives.
In 1937, the Federal government put into the hands of the states and localities the means with which to fight the slum menace. Baltimore was one of the many cities that took advantage of this opportunity. The cornerstone of Baltimore1s public housing program was laid on December 13, 1937 under Mayor Howard Jackson. The formation of HABC was a pioneering vision that reshaped the city's landscape, replacing slum tenements with clean, safe and affordable housing for poor and working families. Now official city landmarks, Poe, Latrobe, McCulloh, Perkins, Douglas and Gilmor Homes were among the first homes HABC developed in the early 1940s.
Over the past 80 years, the work of HABC has been tremendous, but it is far from done. Its mission is the same as always, to ensure that all citizens of Baltimore have access to adequate and affordable housing opportunities in safe, livable and decent neighborhoods. Today, HABC is one of the nation's largest public housing authorities and Baltimore's largest landlord, serving over 40,000 people in public housing and nearly 30,000 in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
What makes HABC successful is the dedication of its employees and its history of strong leadership. HABC will keep the promise of public housing alive until there is no longer a need.
