Erin Karpewicz on Housing and Community Development For All

Like all jurisdictions, Anne Arundel County has communities facing complicated social and economic issues. But we also have something rarer: people who keep showing up. On this episode of the Pittman and Friends podcast, County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with Dr. Shawn Ashworth - a retired educator and licensed therapist who decided that retirement wasn’t the end of service, it was a rewire toward the community work she couldn’t ignore. We talk about what she’s learned from 31 years inside schools and what changes when you step outside the system to meet families where they are. We get specific about Brooklyn Park, why poverty and high arrest rates still shape daily life, and why “consistency” can matter more than one-time charity. Dr. Ashworth breaks down Food 4 Thought Community Outreach Services and its core pillars: housing, health and nutrition, counseling, and jobs. We also dig into community schools and why making the school a true neighborhood hub can lift attendance and outcomes, especially when families can access tutors, mentors, wellness supports, and county resources in one place. Wellness Wednesdays at Park Elementary becomes our case study, from cooking and dance to workshops on ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and practical health services. Then we zoom out to larger solutions: ENOUGH, Governor Wes Moore’s initiative to confront poverty through aligned institutions and resident-led work, plus the Two-Gen Brooklyn Park pilot roadmap designed to move families from crisis to stability with accountability, childcare support, and a path toward economic mobility. We close with the Community Reinvestment and Repair Commission (CRRC), where cannabis tax revenue is funding boots-on-the-ground nonprofits in zip codes most impacted by historic drug arrests, and why impact and partnerships matter when dollars are limited. Subscribe, share this with a friend who cares about community change, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one investment you think your community needs most right now?If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

Housing is where everything else starts and when it gets too expensive, communities can start to break. In the latest episode of the Pittman and Friends podcast County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with Erin Karpewicz, Executive Director of Arundel Community Development Services (ACDS), to get specific about how affordable housing and community development actually happen: who pays, how deals get structured, and why the market alone won’t build homes for every income level.We talk through the full housing continuum, from homelessness prevention and Continuum of Care partners to the financing tools that make new affordable rental housing pencil out. We dig into the Housing Trust Fund, created with a dedicated revenue source, and why predictable local funding unlocks more projects. Erin explains how low-interest loans reduce private debt, how deed restrictions keep units affordable long term, what affordability targets like 60% of Area Median Income (AMI) mean for real working households, and how many units of affordable housing are currently in the pipeline.The story is not just numbers. We revisit community-centered projects like the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center and the Severn Center, where years of advocacy turned into a thriving building because residents helped design it and saw themselves reflected in it. Then we look ahead to Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park and the Meyer Building, and discuss the plan to include affordable rentals and permanent supportive housing in the project design. If you care about housing affordability, first-time homebuyer support, permanent supportive housing, or building economically diverse communities, listen and share this conversation with someone who still thinks the problem is simple. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what creative solution to the affordable housing crisis you want to see next.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

Congress isn’t just “too partisan” right now. It’s drifting away from the basic job the Constitution assigns it, and that has real consequences for Maryland families. In the latest episode of the Pittman and Friends podcast, County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth to talk candidly about what it’s like to serve in a triple minority, why it’s disheartening to watch the legislative branch stand down, and how she keeps her focus on delivering for the district anyway.We get specific about what “wins” look like when the headlines are loud, but people’s needs are local. Congresswoman Elfreth walks us through her work on the House Armed Services Committee and why the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is still one of the last reliable vehicles for legislating. We cover district priorities tied to the Naval Academy, disaster mitigation planning, protections for Greenbury Point, and a bipartisan push to expand veteran access at military medical facilities that have unused capacity.Then we head to the Chesapeake Bay, where policy meets dinner plates. Blue catfish are an invasive species hammering oysters and rockfish, and Congresswoman Elfreth explains a bipartisan approach that treats invasive aquatic species as a national problem, not just a regional headache. We also dig into the affordability issues people raise at town halls: childcare access, workforce shortages in hospitals, and the ripple effects of Medicaid cuts and rising Affordable Care Act premiums that can flood already strained emergency rooms.Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What issue should Congress tackle first to make life more affordable?If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

What if there was an environmental restoration movement you could see from your backyard? In the latest episode of the Pittman & Friends podcast, County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with Erik Michelsen, Deputy Director of Public Works and Chief of Watershed Protection and Restoration, to unpack how Anne Arundel County is working to clean our water, protect our forests, and implement smarter growth along the Chesapeake Bay.Erik explains how a dedicated stormwater fee now funds rigorous maintenance of aging drains, ambitious stream retrofits in older neighborhoods, and living shorelines that replace failing bulkheads with native marsh. We revisit the Berrywood project that reconnected yellow perch spawning habitat, explore a South River marsh stabilization that could reuse dredge material to rebuild wetlands, and highlight strategic land preservation wins at Quiet Waters Retreat, Glebe Heights, and more. With the Green Infrastructure Master Plan guiding acquisitions and stronger forest conservation rules reshaping development, the county is stacking long-term water quality gains.Community power runs through every story. The Watershed Stewards Academy trains residents to lead projects and pursue grants. We also touch on the new Whole Watershed Act, which is focusing state dollars on the Severn River watershed via a nonprofit-led coalition. Behind the scenes, tighter interagency coordination keeps land deals, tree protections, and restoration moving.If you care about the Chesapeake Bay, our rivers, forests and open spaces—this conversation offers practical models and real results. Follow for more grounded stories of restoration, share this with a friend who loves the environment, and leave a review to help others find the show.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

Questions with teeth make for the best conversations. That’s why in the latest episode of Pittman & Friends podcast County Executive Pittman held office hours to field your questions. He responds to questions about walkability on dangerous corridors, the push and pull of growth, and how to keep people safe without sacrificing momentum. From Route 3 to school zones, we unpack why retrofitting suburban roads is hard, expensive, and urgent—and how Safe Routes to School, Safe Routes to Transit, and the Walk & Roll plan knit together a safer, saner network for getting around.County Executive Pittman explains why the county stepped away from using local resources to do ICE’s job for them, how local policing and the courts deliver accountability, and why outsourcing justice to ICE undermines public safety. Along the way, we talk about data-driven enforcement—red light and speed cameras under Vision Zero—and invite listeners to suggest camera locations where risk is real.Costs are rising, wages lag, and residents feel the squeeze. County Executive Pittman acknowledges those headwinds and focuses on what local government can actually move: safer streets, fair housing, better transit, strong schools, and public places that welcome everyone. We close on common values—peace, empathy, and the rule of law—because durable progress rarely follows party lines. Have thoughts, critiques, or a story from your block? Subscribe, share with a friend, and send us your questions for the next office hours. Your voice shapes the next round.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

What if the fastest way to protect the Bay, feed our neighbors, and inspire the next generation starts with a horse, a pasture, and a plan? In the latest episode of the Pittman & Friends podcast, County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with farmer and community leader Deana Tice to trace a life in agriculture—from a childhood spent in horse barns and milking parlors across multiple states to running a three-farm equine operation that teaches 150 lessons a week—and uncover what keeps Anne Arundel’s farms alive.Education takes center stage as we spotlight the CASE program at Southern High and opportunities at CAT North. Deana makes a compelling case for countywide access so a kid who dreams of veterinary school or crop science isn’t blocked by a ZIP code. We dig into the nuts and bolts of soil conservation and why well-managed pastures act like living sponges, capturing stormwater and nutrients before they hit the Chesapeake. And we zoom out to the missing backbone: a Regional Ag Center at the former grain elevator site. Picture a USDA-inspected meat processor, aggregation, cold storage, and a certified kitchen under one roof. For livestock producers, that means shorter hauls and reliable slots. For fruit, vegetable, and grain growers, it means value-added products and better margins. Layer in workforce training, a farmers market, and classrooms, and you’ve got a hub that serves all of Southern Maryland.If you care about local food, clean water, and open space—or you just love the smell of a barn on show day—this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves farmers’ markets, and leave a review with the one change you’d make to strengthen local agriculture.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

​​What if local government felt like a neighbor who shows up with the right help at the right time? In the latest episode of the Pittman & Friends podcast, County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with Alison Flores, Director of Anne Arundel County’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, to unpack how a “small but mighty” team turns the value of belonging into practical action. From festivals and murals to legal lifelines and business roundtables, they trace the systems that let immigrant families connect, grow, and navigate services without getting lost in the maze.Alison explains why the office was built to connect rather than duplicate—linking residents to Economic Development, Central Services, and trusted nonprofits. They talk about the Community Building Mini Grant, the Certified Welcoming audit with Welcoming America, and a monthly network of immigrant service providers that keeps information current and useful. The thread through it all is trust: engaging directly with communities, honoring language and cultural nuance, and using faith partners to reach people who might be wary of public buildings or paperwork.They also reflect on cultural visibility: from a joy-filled Super Bowl halftime performance, to neighborhood businesses that anchor community life, and on pandemic lessons that revealed both the essential role and the fragile safety net around immigrant workers. If you care about immigrant inclusion and building a welcoming county, this conversation offers a grounded, hopeful roadmap. Subscribe, share with a friend, and join us next week for another great episode.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

In the latest episode of the Pittman & Friends podcast, County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with State Senator Dawn Gile for a candid discussion of how a military spouse and attorney found her lane in Maryland’s Senate, learned to lead on hard votes, and kept family life intact while pushing forward consumer protections and healthcare reforms. From Broadneck to Crofton to Davidsonville, her district spans traffic chokepoints, has rural character, and shoreline concerns—so listening isn’t a slogan, it’s the job.They dig into the moment she defended Maryland’s constitutional amendment protecting reproductive freedom after the Supreme Court issued the Dobbs decision. Consumer protection takes center stage as they unpack the ticketing mess: bots snapping up seats, speculative listings that sell shows before real tickets exist, and families paying triple for community events like the Renaissance Festival or the local Nutcracker. They also explore Maryland’s push on prescription drug affordability and how the state’s board can bring real savings to public plans and set a path for wider relief. Throughout, Senator Gile talks about balancing law, parenting, and public service; building durable relationships across the aisle; and translating values into bills that hold up in the real world. Tune in to this heartfelt conversation between two public servants and learn more about those that represent Anne Arundel County every day. Subscribe, share with a friend, and join us next week for another great episode. If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

Each year, I reflect on the state of our county and speak directly to residents. This year's address focuses on offering a path for residents to restore their faith in government and showcase our progress driven by fiscal responsibility and efficiency.I am committed to 'finishing what we started' in my final year—solidifying progress on housing, land preservation, and infrastructure to ensure Anne Arundel County is set up for success for years to come.Local government exists to protect our people and ensure opportunity is available to all. Tune in this week to hear my full address and learn more about the vision to make Anne Arundel County The Best Place - For All.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

A campaign can win votes or it can build a blueprint for governing. Jared Littman, Annapolis mayor-elect, joins us to share how two years on the trail reshaped his plan: take the budget to every ward through annual town halls, walk blocks with residents to see issues first-hand, and rebuild trust by making engagement the start of policy, not the afterthought.We dig into City Dock and resilience with clear-eyed realism—what it takes to protect a waterfront that the entire county treats like a shared park, why multi-level funding matters, and how climate adaptation must also include cooling heat islands, planting trees, and expanding public water access beyond tourist districts. Jared explains how the Resilience Authority and county partnerships can speed stormwater projects and align transportation without chasing a complicated city-county merger that might not improve service or cost.Housing takes center stage as we discuss public housing conditions, voucher funding risks, and major redevelopment efforts like Robinwood and the Choice Neighborhood Initiative. We talk nuts and bolts—inspections, licensing, revenue restoration—and the legal landscape around lawsuits that could strain a $200 million budget. Jared makes the case for addressing root causes whether or not the city prevails in court, with homelessness prevention and wraparound services on deck through stronger county and state coordination.We also go inside City Hall strategy: pairing new and returning council members for mentorship, holding a retreat to set norms, and starting budget priorities in the fall to avoid the annual ambush. The ultimate goal is simple and measurable: every resident should feel that their government cares, responds, and works without insider access. If that culture holds, trust grows—and with it, the capacity to deliver on resilience, equitable housing, and access to the water that defines Annapolis. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share with a friend, and tell us your top priority for the first round of budget town halls.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV