The First Statewide Supportive Housing Forum of Its Kind in Maryland
More than a conference, the first-of-kind 2026 Maryland Supportive Housing Forum hosted by CSH served as a space for connection, problem-solving, and shared commitment to ensuring vulnerable Marylanders have access to stable housing and supportive services. The Forum comes at a critical time, with more than 17,000 people in Maryland in need of stable housing while federal cuts to affordable housing and Medicaid threaten the resources that help people secure and maintain housing.
Over two days, leaders representing supportive housing developers, service providers, healthcare partners, government agencies, advocates, philanthropic organizations, and community-based organizations came together to explore the policies, partnerships, and investments needed to strengthen supportive housing across Maryland. By bringing decision-makers together with practitioners and people with lived expertise, the Forum created opportunities for conversations that do not often happen across systems. Throughout the event, speakers reinforced a shared message: supportive housing is most effective when housing, healthcare, behavioral health, justice, and community partners work toward common goals.
That need for coordinated action was echoed by Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day, who acknowledged that Maryland continues to face problems that require cross-sector solutions for housing instability as a public health issue. “There is still a challenge [here] – a public health challenge and an individual health challenge,” he said.
A recurring theme throughout the Forum was partnership. When attendees were asked what ideas from the event were still resonating with them, responses repeatedly highlighted system alignment, cross-department collaboration, data sharing, healthcare and housing partnerships, coordinated funding strategies, and stronger connections among providers, developers, and government agencies.
Ernestina Simmons, Executive Director of Baltimore’s Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services, captured that spirit of collaboration, noting that state leaders, community partners, and developers are increasingly asking how they can work together to create impact at a larger scale.
Attendees responded enthusiastically to the Forum experience. One participant described the event as an “absolutely incredible convening,” while another noted it was “great to see so many leaders speaking at the forum.” Others highlighted the relevance of the content and the value of bringing together stakeholders from different sectors to learn from one another and identify new opportunities for collaboration.
Speakers also emphasized the importance of ensuring supportive housing efforts reach those with the greatest needs. As Danielle Meister, Assistant Secretary for Homeless Solutions at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, noted, housing strategies must intentionally serve people with the lowest incomes, people with disabilities, and older adults to create stronger and more equitable communities.
The Forum concluded with a discussion about the future of the Maryland Alliance for Supportive Housing (MASH), a growing coalition CSH is leading that is focused on strengthening supportive housing throughout the state. During an interactive session, attendees identified building partnerships as the alliance’s highest priority, followed by coordinating advocacy efforts and sharing knowledge across sectors. Participants ranked connecting people and organizations as the most important first step for MASH’s work and reported a strong readiness to contribute to ongoing coalition-building efforts.
Participants also shared concrete actions they plan to take following the Forum, including strengthening local partnerships, engaging with state policy efforts, participating in MASH, advancing housing and healthcare collaborations, and bringing new stakeholders into supportive housing conversations. Across responses, a clear message emerged: people are ready to move from conversation to action.
As attendees looked ahead to the future of supportive housing in Maryland, Councilwoman Odette Ramos offered a reminder of what is ultimately at stake:
“If we can’t, as a society, provide the care and support to our veterans and those who need it most, we shouldn’t be here.”
Thank You to Our Partners and Sponsors
The Maryland Supportive Housing Forum would not have been possible without the support of our partners and sponsors. We extend our sincere gratitude to The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for their generous support and partnership in helping bring this first-of-its-kind statewide convening to life.
We also thank our sponsors for their commitment to advancing supportive housing across Maryland: Foliot Furniture, Southway Builders, Inc., Enterprise Community Partners, The Zanvyl and Isabelle Krieger Fund, Homes for America, LifeStyles, Inc., Jaydot, Blue Beacon Advisors, Amanda J. Harris Consulting, and Episcopal Housing Corporation. Their support and partnership helped create meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and collaboration among leaders from across the state.
As Maryland continues to expand and strengthen supportive housing opportunities, the relationships built and ideas generated during this year’s Forum provide a strong foundation for future collaboration. We are grateful to every speaker, sponsor, planning committee member, and attendee who contributed their time, expertise, and commitment to creating a Maryland where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
