As part of an effort to provide housing applicants with more accessibility and convenience when searching for a new home, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) has launched a new website that maps out properties around the city and allows users to search for specific features that meet their living needs.
Through Google Maps technology, which is integrated into the new site www.HABC.org, the Digital Housing Map provides applicants with the following:
- Easily-viewed map with specific locations of all HABC developments around the city,
- Apartment sizes and bedroom sizes each development offers,
- Accessibility features for each unit, and
- Determines if the buildings are designated for a particular population
“We want to provide applicants with as many tools as possible to assist them in finding a home that meets their needs,” said HABC Executive Director Janet Abrahams. “We are utilizing popular digital technology to provide convenience and accessibility for public housing applicants.
“Most importantly, the new website is fully responsive with mobile devices and provides a clear message of who we are and what services are available to applicants, residents and community members.”
The new website also includes a link for public housing applicants and Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) applicants to update their applications if they need to make any changes to reflect their current living needs. HABC will continue to integrate technology into the new website that will eventually allow new housing applicants to submit applications through an online portal and go through a review process to find a home that best meets their needs, including family size, age and accessibility.
“We have streamlined and reorganized the content in the Public Housing and HCVP pages, as well as throughout the website,” said Director Abrahams. “The launch of the new website also represents a celebration of our independence as the Housing Authority of Baltimore City.”
In addition, the new website provides many features such as:
- A new banner alert system to inform residents of any emergency updates,
- A search engine powered by Google,
- Ability to contact HABC offices directly,
- Information for contractors, vendors and HABC landlords, and
- A calendar of events for housing and community residents.
The new website is part of HABC’s commitment under Director Abrahams to improve housing services, create safer neighborhoods and become an integral community partner throughout the City of Baltimore. Other recent accomplishments and announcements have included streamlining the public housing waiting list, dramatically reducing the rat population at HABC communities by 82 percent, and earning a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development to transform the Perkins Somerset Oldtown Community.
