Affordable Housing Progress in Downtown Columbia
PATH leaders at the press conference on October 23
PATH leaders spoke at a press conference on October 23 in support of County Executive Calvin Ball’s plan to facilitate the construction of over 300 new affordable homes in downtown Columbia. PATH leaders celebrated this announcement and also stressed the need for quicker progress on affordable housing.
Nine years ago, PATH successfully pushed for the inclusion of 900 units of affordable housing in the Downtown Columbia plan. However, so far the county has only built 52 affordable units and provided 18 rental vouchers toward this commitment.
Two years ago, PATH supported moving the planned new Howard County Library System Central Branch to the Columbia Lakefront, because it would enable more affordable housing in the Merriweather district and provide a public resource on the lakefront advancing education, opportunity and community.
On October 23, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball filed legislation to make the land transfers to make this a reality. This will enable 200 units of mixed-income housing where the current HCLS Central Branch is, and enable 120+ units of mixed-income housing in the Merriweather district, on the parking lot pictured where the announcement was made.
In recognition of our past and ongoing organizing for affordable housing and an inclusive community, PATH was asked to be the closing speaker of the event.
PATH co-chair Shehlla Khan from Dar Al-Taqwa Islamic Center spoke about the imperative to build this housing, and celebrated progress while calling out the need for the county to move faster.
PATH Co-Chair Shehlla Khan speaking at the press conference
Shehlla Khan announced, “We have a stark choice to make over the next decade—whether we will continue to lose young people and workers, or whether we will build the variety of housing needed to stay a welcoming and vibrant place to live.”
Rev. Mary Ka Kanahan—former pastor of St. John United Church, longtime PATH leader, and President of the Columbia Downtown Housing Corporation—also spoke to our need to celebrate and keep pressing forward.
Congratulations to PATH for making this progress on affordable housing a reality!
Learn more about the event here: Howard County Press Release
