Ms. C was born in Philadelphia and moved to Baltimore in 1967. After initially moving to West Baltimore in 1968, she found a close-knit community in the Northeast Baltimore neighborhood of New Northwood. Her family was one of the first Black families that moved onto the street. Over the years the neighborhood has transformed significantly, becoming more diverse and with renters and homeowners. She chose this home because it was near the bus line to get to her job at the Social Security building downtown. Ms. C is proud of the choice she made to invest in this neighborhood. 

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The 1945-built 2 story row home was a fixer upper when Ms. C purchased it. She was able to get the windows and appliances replaced shortly after moving in. In the years that followed her purchase, Ms. C faced many personal challenges, including the loss of her mother, which strained finances. This loss impacted her retirement savings, leaving Ms. C with the burden of costly home repairs and maintenance. 

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Several pressing critical repairs were delayed and the condition of the home declined over the last year. Water intrusion from the roof damaged the kitchen floor and subfloor, requiring the removal of tiles. The downstairs tub was sinking into the floor, leading to concerns about safety. The dining room had peeling paint and old carpeting that became a tripping hazard. Ms. C also needed accessibility modifications to make bathing easier by replacing her high rim tub with a low barrier walk-in shower.