Our History
The Baltimore Area Association for Supportive Housing (BAASH) grew out of Baltimore's struggle with substance abuse and citizen advocacy to improve drug treatment. As Baltimore City began the process of reforming its zoning code to remove discrimination against state-licensed drug treatment facilities, the Citizens Planning and Housing Association (CPHA) hosted a forum on July 27, 2004 to help educate City residents about the proposed changes. Amid the discussion about zoning for state-licensed treatment facilities, many citizens at the forum voiced concerns about non-licensed "recovery houses" in their communities that they felt were not being good neighbors.
Recognizing both the vital role supportive housing plays in the recovery process and the concerns of many community members, the Baltimore City Council established a task force on the subject that issued a report in March 2005. The task force recommendations included recruiting funding and staffing to help create a new umbrella association for supportive housing providers – an idea that would become BAASH. Through this new association, the task force envisioned, supportive housing providers could help each other be effective and be good neighbors by setting voluntary standards and by offering assistance and incentives for providers to meet those standards.
Over the next several months, BAASH took shape. CPHA applied to The Abell Foundation for funding to provide the initial staffing for the new association the City Council task force had envisioned, and The Abell Foundation awarded a grant in June 2005. Through meetings during the summer and fall of 2005, interested supportive housing providers worked with CPHA staff to found the Baltimore Area Association for Supportive Housing (BAASH). Over the past two years BAASH has grown to more than 50 members and continues to grow today!
