The Baltimore Carpenter's Project

In part one of this series, we wrote about affordable housing as it is the central issue of our work. We have decided to expand that post into a series of posts to fully display our vision and mission. This particular post was organized in a Q&A format for clarity. 

Q: What is the BCP?

A: The short answer to this question is that the BCP is a full revitalization initiative and a cultural movement. The definition of revitalization is the act or process of giving new life or fresh vitality or energy to someone or something. It is the mission of the BCP to participate in giving new life to the city of Baltimore. 

Q: What does giving new life to the city of Baltimore mean?

A: Revitalization means 3 things to the BCP: 1) Affordable Housing, 2) Quality Food, and 3) Economic Access through Training and Exposure to Skilled Trades. 

We believe that these 3 components are critical to bringing new life to any community. Access to affordable housing gives community members a stake in the communities they live in. Access to quality food increases physical health and vitality of community members. Access to economic opportunities through skilled labor training strengthens the economy of local communities. 

Q: What is Affordable Housing?

A: What is affordable is relative to the financial status of each individual. In this context, affordable means financially obtainable those below the median income. According to the US Census Bureau, median household income in Baltimore is approximately 58,000 as of 2022. Additionally, the individual median income is approximately 36,000. In this case, affordable housing is making housing obtainable for families and individuals below these medians. Through crowdfunding, grants, and municipal support, we can rehabilitate vacant properties to create opportunities to purchase for Baltimoreans. 

Q: How will these Opportunities be created?

A: BCP will utilize Baltimore’s Vacant-2-Value program to acquire city-owned properties and purchase vacant properties from private owners. These properties will be rehabilitated using union carpenters and other skilled labor. After construction is completed, these properties will be sold to community members at affordable prices rather than for profit. Revenues collected from the sale of properties will be used to fund additional rehabilitation projects. 

Q: What is Quality Food? 

A: Quality food is food that has not been chemically treated and has been minimally processed. 

Q: Why is Quality Food important?

A: Quality food is essential for the physical and mental health of individuals and families. If the mission is to help bring new life to the city of Baltimore, it should naturally include the physical and mental health of community members. 

Q: How will this be accomplished?

A: The long-term goal is to establish a network of community gardens throughout Baltimore. BCP will use its carpenters to build the infrastructure of this network. The goal is to strategically place gardens to provide produce to community members within a 4-block radius of each garden. Additionally, we will work with community members and community organizations to establish and maintain gardens. All produce will be distributed to community members at no charge. 

Q: What is Economic Access through Training and Exposure to Skilled Trades?

A: History proves that many in this country have been able to purchase homes and accumulate wealth through participating in the skilled labor industry. A career path through a trade has been minimized for careers that require the college path. The unfortunate reality is that the college path typically delays wealth accumulation in exchange for the debt accumulation. 

Our goal is to expose young people to the option of becoming a tradesman. This will be done through establishing carpentry programs for young people in the community and encouraging other trades to do the same. It is our hope that early exposure to trades will encourage some young people to consider a trade as a viable career path. 

Q: Why is this Important? 

A: Tradesmen built our city; therefore, we need tradesmen to maintain it. If we do not invest in the next generation of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc. we will continue to watch our neighborhoods crumble around us. We need these skilled laborers as much as we need doctors, nurses, and EMS workers. The logic is to invest in new life and endeavors to sustain it. 

Rebuild. Sustain. Prosper!