June PATH Celebration & HOCO By Design County Council Hearing

Jun 29

by Lori James, PATH Board of Directors

In June PATH got re-energized at the County Council Building with a combination celebration/info session inside, plus a rally outside! Then we joined forces at the County Council’s HOCO By Design hearing to push for increased affordable housing in our community.

We reconnected with PATH members to celebrate important wins in 2023, including:

Funding for the Lakefront Library, including 120 units of affordable housing (an increase over the original plan!).
$10 million for the affordable housing trust
Complete Streets
Quality prenatal care for uninsured moms
East Columbia 55+ Center nearing completion

A brief info session on HOCO By Design -- the 10-year proposed plan for smart growth -- with County Executive Calvin Ball’s staff yielded critical questions and an informed discussion about the need for housing equity and access. PATH members then stepped outside to join scores of people at a Bridges to Housing Stability rally…and finally headed back in to testify before the Council. Member Chuck Koplik emphasized what affordable housing would mean for our hard-working firefighters, nurses, police, and teachers.

Our work is not done. Join us this fall for the final push to pass the Howard County General Plan!