In 1995, Arundel Community Development Services, Inc. worked to re-develop and preserve the community of Tenthouse Creek Village in Galesville, Maryland. This community was founded in the 1920s by free African Americans employed by the Woodfield Fish and Oyster Company as watermen and oyster shuckers. ACDS secured federal, State, and County resources to build fourteen rental properties in addition to keeping two original houses to maintain the site’s historic heritage.

In recent years, nine units have been modernized. This year, the seven additional units were slated for updating. The purpose of this project is to modernize these remaining units to provide comfortable, fresh, and long-lasting housing for our residents, while also keeping the homes affordable.ACDS modernization efforts include attractive light oak engineered hardwood flooring throughout the kitchens and living rooms, modern white kitchen cabinets, LED recessed lighting and exterior lighting, and new Energy Star® appliances including refrigerators, range, over-the-counter microwaves, and dishwashers.

Along with a fresh coat of paint in the kitchen, living room, and bathroom, homes received new bathroom vanities, medicine cabinets, commodes, and bathrooms. As the project is nearing completion, the residents of the renovated have expressed great delight and joy in their newly revamped homes.

“I just want to let you know how pleased I am about the beautiful renovation to my unit. I love absolutely everything, especially the gray and white paint. The workers are the best good hard workers very kind professional and very trustworthy handled everything with extreme care. They completed everything on a timely basis and went out of their way for anything extra. Again very pleased excellent workers.” Ms. W.

These renovations are a physical testament to the dedication to supporting the mission of ACDS to provide quality, affordable housing.