Senators Guzzone and Lam, Delegates Feldmark and Atterbeary, County Exec Ball and Councilmember Rigby Celebrate Opening of New Housing Community for Adults with Disabilities, Older Adults and Families in Columbia, MD

On November 5th, Mission First Housing Group, in conjunction with its partners the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM) and the Howard County Housing Commission, hosted the Grand Opening of Patuxent Commons – a brand new 76-unit mixed income apartment community for adults with disabilities, older adults and families – at 6441 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD.

More than 200 supporters and project partners celebrated at the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony along with Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Maryland State Senators Guy Guzzone and Clarence Lam, Maryland Delegates Jessica Feldmark and Vanessa Atterbeary, Howard County Councilwoman Christiana Rigby, Jessica Klaitman from the Office of United States Senator Chris Van Hollen, Robyne Chaconas from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Community Development Administration, Secretary Carol Beatty from the Maryland Department of Disabilities and Peter Engel from the Howard County Housing Commission.

“Affordable, accessible housing that meets the needs of our seniors and community members with disabilities is often hard to come by,” said Senator Van Hollen. The opening of Patuxent Commons and the public-private partnership behind it are helping to fill this critical gap – and I was glad to secure federal funding to support Mission First and the Autism Society of Maryland’s efforts to build a vibrant new community in Howard County anchored by modern housing where Marylanders can live with dignity and independence.”

Patuxent Commons focuses on utilizing housing as a springboard to maximize individual potential and facilitate community integration for people of all ages, abilities and incomes. The development is envisioned as an innovative solution to the growing housing crisis facing adults with disabilities that can be adapted elsewhere in Maryland and serve as a model for similar housing developments throughout the United States.

“We are taking another step towards a more inclusive, compassionate, and connected community,” said County Executive Ball. “Years in the making, Patuxent Commons took a village to bring it to life. This intergenerational community represents the best of who we are. It represents the power of collaboration. It represents the possibilities that we can unlock when we dream boldly. And, most of all, it represents our compassion as a community,” said Ball. “I want to especially thank our friends at Mission First Housing Group, Autism Society of Maryland, Howard County Housing Commission, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Maryland Department of Disabilities, and my state and local elected partners for bringing this vision to life.”

The site provides an ideal location for residents with shopping, employment, recreation and transit opportunities in proximity to the housing community. Patuxent Commons will also include more than 8,000 square feet of community meeting space that will be used for resident programming and services.

“Our new and innovative Patuxent Commons housing community is a ‘proof of concept’ development,” said Thomas A.K. Queenan, Chief Executive Officer and President of Mission First. “We are excited to open our doors to this long-awaited project that welcomes all abilities and incomes to a supported living environment. We expect this project will be a model for further developments where adults with disabilities, seniors and families can live together in an environment that encourages social connections through community-building events and services.”

The intergenerational concept for Patuxent Commons was developed by the AUSOM to help address the housing instability and isolation faced by adults with disabilities and seniors, and to enhance their social connectedness through building of relationships and community engagement. AUSOM will continue to be actively involved in supporting the community and its residents.

“Patuxent Commons may be one project, but it embodies a vision that we are determined to see replicated,” said Melissa Rosenberg, Executive Director of AUSOM. “Together with Mission First and our many partners and supporters, we’re demonstrating what’s possible when affordable housing truly includes people of all abilities.”

Patuxent Commons is a $44 million project that is being financed using Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development grant funding, Tax Exempt Bonds issued by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Community Development Administration, along with Rental Housing Program subordinate debt, an FHA loan through Capital One with 221d4 mortgage insurance, JP Morgan Chase as the bond buyer, and Enterprise as the tax credit investor. Mission First raised additional grant funds for the project through Federal, State, and private sources, including The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.

For more information about Patuxent Commons, visit www.patuxentcommons.com.

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About Mission First Housing Group

Mission First Housing Group develops and manages affordable, safe and sustainable homes for people in need, with a non-profit, mission-driven focus on the most vulnerable. Mission First currently provides affordable housing and services to more than 6,000 people in nearly 4,000 apartments, serving populations in need, such as veterans, survivors of domestic violence, seniors and the disabled. www.missionfirsthousing.org

About Autism Society of Maryland

For over 30 years, the Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM), formerly the Howard County Autism Society, has connected and empowered the Autism community with the resources they need to live fully.  With your support, AUSOM can continue to provide the kind of top notch supports and services for which we are known. And, in so doing, you will help us create a place in which the Autism community comes to be supported, accepted and included. And all of our programs, resources and support are available at no cost to the community. www.autismsocietymd.org

About Howard County Housing Commission

The mission of the Howard County Housing Commission is to provide safe, quality, affordable, and sustainable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families who live or work in Howard County and to assist them in moving toward economic independence. www.househoward.org