If there has been any progress over the last few years on the Mid-Shore in terms of affordable housing, much of the credit must go to Fello. The organization, formerly known as The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, has made significant strides in Easton and plans to expand to other communities on the Eastern Shore.
Housing has become one of the most pressing and complicated issues facing the Shore, and few organizations are as close to both the problem and the solutions as Fello. For this interview, the Spy spoke with Ross Benincasa, Senior Vice President of Community Development, about how the organization is tackling housing through a mix of affordability, inclusivity, and long-term commitment to the communities it serves.
Fello’s work spans group homes, supported living, and large-scale mixed-income development across the Eastern Shore and throughout Maryland. Ross walks through projects like Port Street Commons, Easton Crossing, Silo Court, and the Laura House, explaining why mixed-income and mixed-ability housing is central to Fello’s approach. He also discusses the importance of speed, quality design, and two- and three-bedroom units in creating stable homes for families.
With rent growth here having outpaced nearly every county in Maryland, it is placing real pressure on working families, seniors, and those on the edge of homelessness. Ross speaks candidly about what Fello is seeing on the ground, why infill housing matters, and how consistency and long-term ownership can help address a housing market under strain.
This video is approximately 18 minutes in length. For more information about Fello, please go to their website here.
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