Housing costs on The Shore have risen dramatically over the last few years. The population increase and the drive to increase homeowner-ship in the Nation and on The Shore have driven the demand for and the price of land, permits and fees, and conse-quently housing. It also seems likely that the cost of permits and fees will continue to rise. The cost of labor is also expected to rise.
In spite of the rising cost, the housing boom on The Shore continues. Only a few African American are involved in the business of providing housing. Most are involved in the rental of older housing, mostly single family homes or rooming houses. Even fewer are involved in the construction of new homes. Fewer yet are involved in the financing of home purchases.
We have chosen to profile a few who are involved in building new housing and list other resources in this issue.
Housing Developers
SHORE UP!, Inc.
Salisbury, MD
The community Action Agency serving seven counties on The Shore has a housing division that is developing self-help housing for homeowner-ship and apartments for low and moderate income families and elderly in the tri-county Lower Shore area. Under the leadership of its Executive director, Freddy L. Mitchell, it has developed an apartment complex in Princess Ann that includes garden apartments for families and senior housing called Lorretta Village. SHORE UP!, Inc.
Salisbury, MD
The agency is currently developing a self-help housing project next to the Village including some twelve homes. This is the forth such project that involves families in building their own homes and low cost financing to promote homeownership to those whose incomes are too low to afford market price homes. Some 30 homes have been completed in Willards, Crisfield, and Pocomoke City over the last 18 years.
2C Fields, Inc.
Salisbury, MD
Owned and operated by John H. & Gwen Fields, 2C Fields, Inc. specializes in starter homes in Salisbury and Fruitland. It is just completing its 16-home Meadowood Drive development in Salisbury and is selling some 40 home through lease w/purchase options that it has built or acquired over 30 years.Salisbury, MD
John Fields has been Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs at Salisbury U. for 15 years and plans to retire this year. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and Master's of Education Degree and SU.
Ward Construction
Salisbury, MD
Owned and operated by Frank J. Ward III of Pocomoke City, the six year old company has quickly become the largest Black housing producer on The Shore. It has built over 50 homes in DE, MD, & VA and 30 units of student housing in Princess Anne. It acquired and completed the 20-home Project Ebenezer development in Salisbury and is developing a subdivision in Crisfield and three in Pocomoke. Another subdivision and a townhouse development is planned for Salisbury.Salisbury, MD
Ward is also the founder and CEO of The Money Centre in Salisbury, the Shore's only Black-owned mortgage company. His Real Estate investments include rental housing, commercial, second mortgages, and partner-ships in other ventures.
JEMAR Associates
Salisbury, MD
Owned and operated by Joseph E. Morse, JD of Salisbury. The community development consulting firm has been helping develop housing pro-grams on the Shore 14 years. It has been building homes six years. Morse helped to develop the first Self-help housing program on The Shore while working for SHORE UP! during the 80's. His firm helped Jireh CDC establish the Project Ebenezer development, build-ing eight homes there. It later worked with Ward Construction to acquire the Project and completed four more homes there.Salisbury, MD
Morse earned his Architecture, Regional Planning, and law degrees from Howard University. He is Chairman and Executive Director of Delmar-va Rural Community Development Corporation and the Publisher/Editor of Maryland African American Pride Magazine. He serves on the board of directors of the Maryland Capital Corporation.
Bailey's Constr.
Easton, MD
Owned and operated by Marshall Bailey of Easton, MD, the firm builds or rehabs and sells homes in the Easton area.Easton, MD
Bailey is currently, a Caroline County deputy sheriff after retiring as a Easton city policeman. A leader in his community, he has been Exalted Ruler of the IPBOE Elks Lodge in Easton for nine years.
Resources
The following is a list of Black developers on the Shore. Click here for a list of other building contractors. Delmarva Homes
Maurice Ames & Al & Tiffanie Chandler, Proprietors
Housing
Salisbury, MD
410-543-2344
JEMAR Associates
Joseph E. Morse, Prop.
Business, Housing & Program Developers
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-251-4153
Plus Home Improvement & New Construction, Inc.
Rodney Dawson, Proprietor
Residential Construction
Salisbury, MD
410-546-5644
SHORE UP!, Inc. - Housing & Community Development
Tyrone Chase, Admin'or.
Affordable Home Ownership & Rental Housing
Salisbury, MD 21804
410-749-1142
agency@shoreup.org
2 C Fields, Inc.
John & Gwen Fields, Props.
Commercial & Residential Investment Properties
Salisbury, MD
410-546-5685
Ward Construction
Frank J. Ward, III, Prop.
Housing Construction
212 W. Main St., S. 204B Salisbury, MD 21801
410-543-2926
