BALTIMORE, MD (Monday, April 12, 2021) — Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) announced a community cleanup pilot program in partnership with the Coldstream Homestead Montebello (CHM) Community Corporation. The pilot program will enhance DPW cleaning services by hiring residents of this community to clean up their neighborhood. 

This new initiative reflects the Mayor’s commitment to cleaning up Baltimore City, combating illegal dumping, and bringing all stakeholders to the table to find new and innovative ways to build a more equitable city. 

“I am excited to announce this new pilot program that will hire residents in the CHM community to clean their neighborhood,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “We understand how trash and illegal dumping impact quality of life and even property values in our neighborhoods. This pilot seeks to address those issues and serve as a blueprint for how the City can best collaborate with communities for a stronger, safer Baltimore. I thank the many partners who made this a reality, and look forward to seeing this model replicated across our city.”

The pilot program will hire three residents of the CHM neighborhood at $15 an hour to remove trash and debris from streets and alleys. They will receive workforce development training and be prepared for full-time employment with DPW upon completion. This initial pilot will focus on the Tivoly Redevelopment Area. 

DPW and CHM will work to monitor and evaluate the pilot program by tracking tonnage collected, number of resident-created 311 service requests, number of service requests addressed, and property values over time. 

“The Department of Public Works is excited to partner with CHM on this innovative new program,” said Acting Director Matthew W. Garbark. “We truly appreciate the work of community leaders who are working every day to make their neighborhoods better. Collaboration with these groups improves the work we do and improves the beautification of the city. We hope that this type of coordination and collaboration can serve as a model for other communities throughout the city.”

This pilot was made possible by a combined $70,000 Community Catalyst Grant from the Department of Housing and Community Development and a Weinberg Foundation Grant.