Spring Victories
We have much to celebrate at PATH this spring! We have helped ensure several victories that address some of the key equity issues in our community. Thank you to each and every person who sent emails, testified, showed up at the County Council, engaged people in your congregation and community, or attended political meetings to help us accomplish this much. It made a real difference!
Lakefront Library Update
The County Council unanimously approved funding to continue the planning of the Lakefront Library! This new library will provide more access to essential resources for all in our community, from our preschoolers to our pioneers. This approval also allows for 240 more units of housing at the Merriweather District site, when the original library plan only called for 60 units of affordable housing! The campaign is not over, but this is significant progress.
We look forward to continued engagement with the County Administration, Housing Commission, Library System, Community Developer and other stakeholders.
Increased funding for Affordable Housing
PATH leaders testified at multiple hearings with the County Council in support of an additional $10M in the affordable housing trust, which the Council approved. We are disappointed that the funding was put into contingency, but are hopeful that it will provide affordable housing for many additional families in our community.
Prenatal care for Uninsured Moms
The Howard County Council unanimously approved the budget, which includes $1.7M in funding for the maternity partnership program! This will allow Chase Brexton and Howard County General Hospital to continue providing prenatal care to uninsured moms.
Millions for Energy Savings for Low-Income Residents
PATH, in collaboration with our sister organizations in Maryland, AIM and ACT, supported the Low and Moderate Income Efficiency legislation. This will bring millions of dollars for weatherization and other energy savings to low-income residents in Maryland. This funding will lower energy bills for 32,000 low-income households each year and lower energy bills for all 450,000 low-income Marylanders over 13 years. This will help address the inequities facing low-income households who unfairly shoulder a large share of the energy-cost burden.
