Number of Units

76

Year Developed

2024

Development Costs

$44 million

Goal

Newly constructed, supportive housing to help address the housing needs of adults with disabilities

Description

Mission First Housing Group is developing a 76-unit new construction mixed-income project at the NE intersection of Cedar Lane and Freetown Road in Columbia, MD, to be known as Patuxent Commons.

 

The concept for Patuxent Commons was developed by the Autism Society Maryland (AUSM) and its Housing Task Force to help address the housing needs of adults with disabilities through a supportive community for people of all ages, abilities, and incomes. AUSM continues to be actively involved in supporting Mission First’s development of the project.

 

Patuxent Commons has four primary objectives:

• Address housing instability faced by low-income adults with disabilities, older adults, and younger adults/families
• Enhance social connectedness through building of relationships and community engagement, and reciprocal sharing of social support by neighbors
• Use housing as a springboard to maximize individual potential and facilitate community integration for people of all ages, abilities and incomes
• Pioneer a viable, 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.

 

The project site, across the street from the Hickory Ridge Village Center, provides an ideal location for this development concept, with shopping, employment, recreation, and transit opportunities in close proximity.

 

The proposed project will include a 25% set-aside for adults with disabilities, or 19 units. The remaining units will be targeted to older adults, families and younger adults.

 

The disability units will be targeted to very low income adults, while the other affordable units will be workforce housing. A mix of one, two, and three bedroom units is proposed. A total of 10% of the units will be market rate.

 

The project site’s excellent location and proximity to services and amenities together with its innovative program will facilitate integration of residents with disabilities into the surrounding community and promote their ability to live as independently as possible.

 

Financing
Mission First has been actively pursuing financing for the development and has several competitive applications currently pending with private, State, and Federal organizations.

 

Developer: Mission First Housing Development Corporation, in partnership with the Howard County Housing Commission
Architect: Moseley Architects
Civil Engineer: Gutschik Little and Weber (GLW)
Land Use Counsel: Bill Erskine with Offit Kurman
General Contractors: Harkins Builders
Property Management: Columbus Property Management