About We The People United for Change, Inc.
Our Mission
It is the mission of the “Organization” to acquire vacant properties and vacant lots to renovate them for the sole purpose of housing individuals deemed to be unsheltered or chronically homeless.
We advocate for the right to affordable housing for all and seek to partner with other social service providers to give each individual experiencing homelessness an opportunity to successfully transition to homeownership.
Our History
We The People United For Change, Inc. was founded on April 4, 2024, in Columbia, South Carolina is a Non-Profit Organization and is actively pursuing new innovative ways to address homelessness.
As an individual with lived experience of homelessness, the Organization's founder Mustafa El Shabazz Bey decided to take action against this epidemic by demanding better housing and shelter options for the unsheltered/homeless people residing in the City of Columbia, South Carolina and created an online petition to bring awareness to an ongoing problem to gain support for a new proposed solution that would save countless lives, secure and create jobs, and stabilize the economy.
For more information, please visit https://chng.it/w5YPNxdqcM
As of today, many attempts have been made to persuade the City's officials to invest in existing transitional facilities/temporary shelters and social service providers, but the City has deliberately refused to work with the community.
The Organization is also registered in the State of Maryland and actively seeks to combat homelessness in Baltimore, which has many vacant properties, due to deliberate acts of redlining committed against certain classes of people by the banking institutions (Wells Fargo).
please see:
Mayor City Council of Baltimore v. Wells Fargo
Summary
In Mayor & City Council of Baltimore v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 677 F. Supp. 2d 847 (D. Md. 2010), Judge Motz dismissed a case brought by the City of Baltimore under the Fair Housing Act, in which the City alleged that Wells Fargo's lending practices led to foreclosures that harmed the City.
On the 17th day of February 2025, the "Organization" created a fundraiser to acquire and renovate vacant buildings and lots in the Baltimore, Maryland area to provide affordable housing to homeless residents. The Organization is currently working with social service providers, non-profit organizations, volunteers, and local city, state, and federal officials to build tiny home communities, and acquire and rehabilitate existing vacant properties so to convert these properties into transitional recovery homes.
https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/1cc7cf3b-cc36-443e-aa6b-168b570434b1
Mustafa El Shabazz Bey is an active member of the Baltimore City Continuum of Care (CoC) Resource Allocation Committee (RAC) and is currently working on developing tiny home communities in Baltimore Maryland. The following information listed in the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development BuyIntoBmore Fixed Pricing Program will explain how We The People United For Change, Inc. is planning to accomplish the goal of providing affordable housing options to homeless residents in Baltimore City Maryland.
Programs
The "Organization" plans to participate in the Baltimore City's Department of Housing and Community Development BuyIntoBMore program.
BUYINTOBMORE
With the goal of leading transformative change, DHCD issued a comprehensive Community Development Framework. The Framework brings into focus DHCD's overall plan and articulates key strategic approaches for launching a new era of neighborhood investment. To support this new era of neighborhood investment, the BuyIntoBmore initiative was created. BuyIntoBmore is a new way for constituents and developers to invest in Baltimore City by creating a single access point to:
- Apply to purchase City-owned property through the open bid program
- Submit Request for Proposals and Requests for Qualifications (coming soon)
- Submit Expressions of Interest (coming soon)
- Apply to the City’s Vendor Lien program (coming soon)
- Acquire Tax Certificates for tax-delinquent properties (coming soon)
- Apply to adopt vacant lots through the Adopt A Lot program
- Apply for water access for community-managed open spaces
Phase One (April 1 - July 1) - Prioritized for Baltimore City residents committing to restoring and living in the home as a primary residence.
Phase Two (beginning April 15) - Identifies properties not yet owned by the City where applicants have a legacy or familial interest.
Phase Three (beginning July 1) - Includes future homeowners, community land trusts, non-profit and for-profit developers.
PHASE THREE - Fixed Pricing Developer, Non Profit and Community Land Trust Submissions
All applications received PRIOR to March 20, 2024, will resume processing April 1, 2024.
All submissions received AFTER March 20, 2024, and not belonging in Phase One, will be reviewed beginning July 1, 2024, and are subject to standard program guidelines. Additionally, any property applied for by developers between April 1 - July 1, 2024, does not reserve the property or prevent the property from being awarded to a homeowner during the Phase One priority award period.
What Can You Expect From the Fixed Pricing Program?
Streamlined Disposition Process! - Say goodbye to long waits. Our new process is about efficiency, ensuring that your application moves swiftly through each stage with clarity and ease.
Clearly Defined Pricing Structure! - No more guessing games. Our transparent pricing structure lets you know exactly what to expect at every step, empowering you to make informed decisions confidently.
Consistent and Equitable Processing! - Fairness is our priority. Every application is treated with the same care and attention, ensuring a level playing field for all applicants.
Reduced Timelines! - Time is precious. That's why we've aimed to cut our processing times in half, from over 180 days down to just 90 days!
What Properties Qualify? How Much Will Properties Be Sold For?
This program will apply to properties that fall within the E-J Housing Market Typology
501 (c)(3) Nonprofits (50 or less employees)
Vacant Building
$1000
Must be developed for residential or mixed use that includes residential with a use and occupancy permit obtained within 12 months from the date of settlement.
501 (c)(3) Nonprofits (50 or less employees)
Vacant Lot
$500
Must be developed for residential, mixed use that includes residential or green space with a use and occupancy permit obtained (when applicable) within 12 months from the date of settlement.
How Are Applicants Vetted?
Our vetting process includes the following criteria:
Rehabilitation Budget: Applicants must have a budget of $90,000 available for property rehabilitation per property applied for. This ensures sufficient resources are allocated for improvements.
Vacant Building Inventory: We assess whether applicants own vacant building inventory older than two years or less than two years without a recent open/active permit. This helps us gauge their experience and readiness for rehabilitation projects.
Legal Impediments: The Department shall assess whether applicants have unresolved, ongoing or pending legal matters that could hinder their capacity to finalize the project.
Lien and Judgment Checks: We confirm that applicants do not have any open federal or state liens or judgments. This helps mitigate financial risks and ensures participants are in good standing with regulatory authorities.