Q&A with Jill Steele-McGhee

Now that Health Care for the Homeless is building housing, we hired our first Real Estate Developer, Jill Steele-McGhee! A New Jersey native, Jill earned her bachelor's in Sociology from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore before pursuing a Masters in Public Administration at University of Baltimore. With more than two decades in the field, Jill brought affordable housing developments to Pittsburgh, Cecil County, Prince George's County and the greater Baltimore metropolitan area. Since coming on board in August 2021, she is supporting Sojourner Place at Oliver, our first affordable housing development in the heart of East Baltimore's Oliver community. Take a moment to learn more about Jill's new role here and her committment to deeply affordable housing.

What inspired you to become involved in real estate development?

Around my sophomore year, I began to truly understand how our environment shapes who we are. At that same time, I was developing this greater awareness of who I am as an African American, learning about my culture and all of our contributions. That's when I knew I wanted to get into community development. One of my first jobs was with a small nonprofit in Middle East Baltimore, working with tenants to receive grant money from the city to renovate and actually purchase the homes they're renting. Being able to help older clients acquire their home and have that asset to pass down to their children—that's when I really knew I was committed to this work.

What brought you to work for Health Care for the Homeless?

I'm specifically interested in the development of affordable housing as a means of creating equity and inclusion. Policies prevented whole segments of the population from being able to purchase or rent the homes of their choice. Those policies have also led to poverty, lower education, and poor health outcomes in those communities. I want to be part of the cure in creating more equitable housing, and that led me to Health Care for the Homeless. I believe that affordable housing is a basic right and the foundation of one's health and success, and those values are in direct alignment with the mission of the agency. 

Tell us about the Real Estate Developer's role within the agency, and how you determine whether a project is right for us.

My role as Real Estate Developer is to advance our mission, to prevent and end homelessness by providing affordable housing for clients. I work to identify potential affordable housing projects and manage the development of those projects in partnership with the local community.

Many neighborhoods in Baltimore have adopted neighborhood revitalization plans that detail the community’s land use priorities. I read those plans in great detail to understand the history, existing conditions and housing needs of the community, as well as the housing development recommendation. I engage with the community to discuss potential development concepts in the neighborhood. When a project can meet the needs of the community, advance our mission and still remain financially feasible, then I know it’s a good fit.

What makes our approach to affordable housing unique? 

A typical affordable housing developer is there to address the housing needs of a locality where there is currently a lack of affordable units. The goal is ulitimately to increase the supply of affordable and low-income housing. So in Baltimore City, for example, the median income is around $50,200. To make housing affordable to someone earning $50,200, the housing cost (including utilities) will need to be $1,255 or less. And then there are communities where the median income is much lower. For example, the median income in Oliver is around $37,600, which equates to an affordable housing payment of $940 per month.

At Health Care for the Homeless, we are not just supplying affordable housing; we also provide health care and supportive services once individuals and families move in. Our approach is far more integrated, not only in terms of housing accessibility, but community engagement as well. 

Why is community engagement so essential to the work, and how do you go about engaging local residents?

We have over 250 different neighborhoods in Baltimore City, and each community has its own unique culture and history. Community residents understand the stress points of their neighborhoods and what makes each one so special. I gain so much perspective in community association meetings, or anytime I can meet with community leaders and attend community events. It allows me to get to know community members and develop a better understanding of their needs, and it also provides an opportunity to update the community on our projects. Engaging with local communities offers a great space for education, where we can learn more about the character of a neighborhood and also make sure folks understand that housing is a form a health care. 

What does it mean for the agency to be a co-developer in affordable housing development? 

It means that we are building housing that clients can afford. To go from providing care and connecting people to housing resources to now developing permanent, affordable housing units is significant. It moves us forward in our mission to eliminate homelessness, and ultimately that's why we come to work every day. Because we're not only co-developers but co-owners, and with each new project we become part of a larger community. We're neighbors in the communities that we serve.

What projects are ahead for 2022? 

Next year, we’ll finish construction at Sojourner Place at Oliver and begin moving in tenants during the fall. We're also looking to start our next project with Episcopal Housing Corporation and hope to have that building location identified and in the funding stages before the end of next year. Right now I am looking at sites located within a 1-mile radius of our locations at 421 Fallsway, Grace Medical Center and MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center. The project will be an affordable multi-family development that will offer permanent supportive housing to clients. 

What brings you joy outside of work? How do you like to spend your free time? 

I like to stay active. I recently took up roller-skating, I like cycling and I also enjoy playing tennis with my daughter. And I love to dance! I'm missing it now, but I was enrolled in African dance and ASA dance classes. My daughter goes to Towson University. She's on campus now so once a week we have lunch or go out to the store together. I really enjoy that time with her—the conversations we have and watching her grow into such an intelligent and purposeful young woman.

Extend a warm welcome to Jill when you see her, and stay tuned to more exciting real estate development in the new year.