Affordable Housing and New Cultural Center

PATH was key to winning funding for arts access and affordable housing through the mixed-use New Cultural Center project. In recent years, Howard County launched an innovative development plan for Downtown Columbia that would bring arts, education, mixed-use development, and affordable housing to the region; the first project and centerpiece of the plan is the landmark New Cultural Center. 

“The NCC will draw families, tourists, and business to Downtown Columbia through its unique mix of arts and cultural offerings,” said Sharon Shaw, PATH and Howard County Education Association leader. “Including affordable housing at the site will allow people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to access quality arts and housing and exemplify Rouse’s vision of inclusion and equity.”

Howard County officials passed legislation to include 900 units of affordable housing as part of the redevelopment of Downtown Columbia. This legislation was the result of years of discussion, deliberation, lobbying, and organizing by the Columbia Downtown Housing Corporation, Howard County Housing Commission, county officials, and thousands of local residents with groups like PATH.

The project ensured that Howard County retained $64 Million in state funding for affordable housing in the Downtown Columbia Plan, and will provide some of the deepest subsidy housing in the Downtown Columbia Plan.