Kaiser Permanente recently committed $100,000 to LifeStyles of Maryland Foundation to fund the redevelopment and renovation of a former motel into transitional housing for Charles County residents experiencing homelessness. The funds will be used to convert five motel rooms into supportive housing apartments for residents previously experiencing homelessness. This facility, the Southern Crossing development, will provide short-term housing for up to 77 residents for a maximum of 18 months, as well as career and life skill counseling.
“At Kaiser Permanente, we recognize that stable, affordable housing is essential for good health. We are proud to partner with LifeStyles of Maryland to develop sustainable, long-term solutions to housing insecurity in Charles County,” said Cynthia Cifuentes, vice president of Brand, Communications, and Community Engagement at Kaiser Permanente, Mid-Atlantic. “With the launch of this supportive housing facility, we are paving the way from homelessness to improved health for our community. Together, we can make strides to end homelessness and foster a thriving community.”
Construction on the facility is underway and LifeStyles of Maryland began accepting resident applications in July.
“We are grateful for Kaiser Permanente’s support of this transformative project,” said Sandy Washington, CEO at LifeStyles of Maryland. “The Southern Crossing development will not only provide immediate housing solutions but also equip residents with the skills and resources they need to achieve long-term stability and self-sufficiency.”
Kaiser Permanente’s ongoing commitment to address housing insecurity is a core component of our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve. Kaiser Permanente has committed millions in grants and loans to support affordable housing and address homelessness in the Mid-Atlantic region, including low-interest capital for a $2.5 million loan to the CSI Birchwood affordable senior housing project in Waldorf in 2021. By improving access to social factors of health, including stable housing, thriving schools, healthy food, and economic opportunity, Kaiser Permanente seeks to advance health equity and enable all members of our community to thrive.
For more information about Kaiser Permanente’s community health initiatives, visit kp.org/community. To learn more about LifeStyles of Maryland and the Southern Crossing project, visit lifestylesofmd.org.
About Kaiser Permanente:
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and nonprofit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
About LifeStyles of Maryland
LifeStyles of Maryland provides a continuum of emergency, transitional, and permanent housing services for Southern Maryland residents. The organization offers structured housing environments that include life skills development, budgeting assistance, and other supportive services to help individuals and families achieve stability and independence.