FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs and University of Baltimore Release Reports on Impact of American Rescue Plan Act Investments in Baltimore City
Data-driven evaluations demonstrate measurable gains in employment, small business growth, housing stability, and community resilience across Baltimore City.
Baltimore, MD (Thursday, May 14, 2026) — The Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs (MORP), in partnership with the University of Baltimore’s (UBalt) Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance (BNIA), Jacob France Institute (JFI), and the Schaefer Center for Public Policy today announced the release of six evaluation reports examining the impact of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments across Baltimore City.
Established by Mayor Brandon M. Scott, MORP administers $641 million in ARPA funding to support equitable recovery and long-term resilience. These newly released reports provide one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of how those investments are advancing workforce development, economic opportunity, housing stability, public safety, and community well-being. These interim reports serve as a baseline for measuring the long-term success of Baltimore’s recovery efforts. The City will issue a definitive impact study and final reports once all ARPA-funded initiatives conclude at the end of the grant period.
"This was one of the most significant federal investments in our city's history, and we've put every single dollar to good use," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "Among other projects, we've invested in schools, rec centers, parks, playgrounds, and affordable housing, installed free Wi-Fi at senior centers, supported digital literacy programs, kept our streets clean, and created summer jobs for our young people. I'm confident that the impact of the programs we've built—alongside our residents and community partners—will last for generations to come.”
The released reports evaluate five ARPA-funded initiatives, including the Qualitative Evaluation of Hire Up and Train Up Programs (Interim Report, 2022–2025 Activities) and Alignment of the Train Up Training Programs to Baltimore City Occupational Needs; the Evaluation of Community Grants (Interim Report, April 2024–April 2025 Activities); the Coordinated Neighborhood Stabilization Response: Process Evaluation; the SOS Fund x Parity Baltimore Incorporated: Interim Evaluation Report; and the Buy Back the Block: Interim Evaluation Report. Together, these reports provide a cross-sector view of how ARPA investments are impacting workforce development, housing stability, public safety, and community programming across Baltimore City, highlighting information about:
Advancing Workforce Development
Evaluations conducted by the Schaefer Center for Public Policy highlight strong outcomes from workforce initiatives like Hire Up and Train Up:
- Hire Up participants saw significant employment gains: 90.9% were employed after program completion, compared to 68.2% who were unemployed prior.
- Train Up achieved a high completion rate (81.4%) and demonstrated measurable job-placement outcomes, with about half of completers securing employment within three months.
- Both programs effectively addressed barriers such as limited access to jobs, though challenges remain regarding job retention, training timing, and private-sector engagement.
A complementary labor market analysis by the JFI found that Train Up is well aligned with Baltimore’s targeted industries and occupational demand. However, many roles remain concentrated in lower-wage sectors, signaling an opportunity to expand pathways to higher-paying careers.
Expanding Arts and Cultural Engagement
Community Arts Grants have significantly increased access to cultural programming:
- Almost 2,500 arts events reached more than 75,000 participants across Baltimore.
- Funding supported 28 organizations and generated 184 new partnerships with artists and local businesses.
- Grantees reported increased engagement in underserved communities and strengthened the financial stability of arts organizations.
Advancing Public Safety Through Community-Centered Approaches
By assessing the underlying process for Coordinated Neighborhood Stabilization Responses (CNSR), this report sheds light on the City’s innovative, data-driven approach to violence prevention:
- Led by the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), CNSRs address root causes of violence by connecting residents to housing, employment, and mental health resources while improving neighborhood conditions.
- CNSRs continue to evolve through ongoing process improvements, with staff adapting strategies to strengthen coordination and effectiveness despite capacity constraints.
- Findings point to strong collaboration across stakeholders, while identifying opportunities for scaling and sustainability.
Strengthening Housing Stability and Homeownership
Research from the Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance highlights progress in housing security:
- The SOS Fund prevented foreclosure among participating households, with zero homes lost and strong uptake of tax credit programs.
- The Buy Back the Block program supported 117 renters in becoming homeowners, with high satisfaction rates and minimal barriers reported by participants.
Driving Data-Informed Decision Making
Across all six reports, a consistent theme emerges: ARPA-funded programs are making meaningful progress, particularly in reaching disproportionately impacted communities. At the same time, the evaluations provide actionable recommendations to improve program design, coordination, and long-term outcomes.
“From workforce training to small business growth and housing stability, these findings show that Baltimore's ARPA investments are reaching communities and making measurable progress,” said Elizabeth Tatum, Chief Recovery Officer for the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs. “Equally important, these reports help us understand where we must refine and strengthen our approach to ensure every dollar delivers lasting impact.”
Baltimore City will use these findings to inform future funding decisions beyond ARPA, refine program implementation, and maximize the long-term impact of federal recovery resources.
“These evaluations offer a first look at the impact of the innovative projects and investments made in support of Baltimore’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Amanda Phillips de Lucas, Director of BNIA-JFI. “Each report contains comprehensive data collection and analysis, laying a strong foundation for understanding the lasting effects of these programs.”
For more information and to access the full reports, please visit the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs website.
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About the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs (MORP)
Mayor Brandon M. Scott originally established the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs to transparently and effectively administer Baltimore City’s $641 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its negative economic impacts. In August 2024, Mayor Scott’s Executive Order expanded the office's role to include grants management and oversight of the Opioid Restitution Fund (ORF). Through strong grants management and partnerships with City agencies and nonprofits, the Recovery Office ensures that these one-time funds are invested responsibly and equitably to support Baltimore residents and deliver measurable impact. For more information, visit baltimorecity.gov/morp.
About the Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance (BNIA)
The Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance (BNIA) is a self-supporting research unit within the Jacob France Institute at the University of Baltimore whose mission is to provide open access to meaningful, reliable, and actionable data about, for, and with Baltimore City’s communities. BNIA-JFI coordinates data acquisition, warehousing, analysis, and dissemination activities of a diverse group of citywide nonprofit organizations, city and state government agencies, neighborhoods, foundations, businesses, and universities to help leaders throughout Baltimore City, the region, and the State make data-driven decisions.
About the Jacob France Institute (JFI)
The Jacob France Institute (JFI) is a driving force behind data-driven insights that illuminate the complex interplay between business, workers, and government investment. The Institute delivers high-quality statistical research that directly informs critical policy decisions. Their current research portfolio focuses on the evolving landscape of employment—analyzing trends in job quality and location, as well as the impact of education and training on worker outcomes. By forging strategic research alliances, the JFI expands the boundaries of knowledge, shaping impactful policies for both business and government. Throughout their work, they uphold the highest ethical standards: respecting privacy, protecting confidentiality, and maintaining strict impartiality.
About the Schaefer Center for Public Policy
Established in 1985 at the University of Baltimore, the Schaefer Center for Public Policy is a leading Maryland policy center dedicated to applied research and public service. The Center provides program evaluation, policy analysis, and consulting services to government and nonprofit organizations, drawing on faculty and student expertise across the College of Public Affairs. With more than 500 completed projects, the Schaefer Center plays a key role in strengthening public-sector performance and leadership across the state. Through the Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program, which is offered to nonprofit and government managers, and its newest program, NextGen Leaders for Public Service internship program, the Schaefer Center is building management capacity in Maryland’s public organizations.