What is the Patuxent Commons concept?
Patuxent Commons is an intentional, supportive community for people of all ages, abilities, and incomes. It has four primary objectives:
- 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.
- 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
Who is behind Patuxent Commons?
A group of public and private sector community leaders and stakeholders, led by the Autism Society of Maryland (formerly Howard County Autism Society), came together to plan and develop this concept under the direction of a 12-member Task Force. In 2019, following a competitive selection process, the Task Force chose Mission First Housing Group to be the developer for Patuxent Commons. Mission First is a highly experienced developer and manager of affordable housing developments throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. They have particular expertise in innovative housing models that support populations with special needs, experience which makes them well – equipped to execute the Patuxent Commons vision. The Howard County government, the State of Maryland, the Federal government and private philanthropists provided critical support for the project.
What’s unique about this concept?
At Patuxent Commons, residents of all abilities are welcomed and encouraged to be good, engaged neighbors. This means different things for different people, depending on their interests, abilities and inclinations. For some people, it means checking in with a fellow resident every now and then and inviting them over for an occasional dinner or cup of coffee. For others, it involves giving someone a ride to the mall, helping with a job interview, or simply taking the time to talk. For everyone, it means being a part of a mutually supportive community with neighbors who share their values and commitment to diversity.
Why are only 25% of the units set aside for people with disabilities, if that is the project focus?
From the earliest stages of planning of Patuxent Commons, Autism Society of Maryland (formerly Howard County Autism Society) and other stakeholders of this project have been firmly committed to creating a genuinely diverse and inclusive community. Limiting the number of units specifically set aside for people with disabilities helps ensure that people of all abilities are able to live as neighbors at Patuxent Commons. Additionally, the 25% cap also aligns with state and federal policy and funding restrictions designed to support the full inclusion of people with disabilities into the larger community. There is widespread agreement that community integration can best occur when no more than 25% of units in a development are occupied by persons with disabilities. HUD and MD funding programs that support projects like these actually cap the number of units set aside for persons with disabilities at 25% – anything above that set-aside, and the project would not qualify for financing from these federal and state sources. Court cases like Olmstead v. L.C. paved the way for the de-institutionalization of persons with disabilities into more integrated settings.
I’m interested in living at Patuxent Commons. Can I apply or get on a waiting a list?
The Patuxent Commons waitlist was generated by random lottery in August and remains closed at this time. Patuxent Commons Management staff have been proceeding through the waitlist in order to match households to available units. They are currently working through all applications and will be reaching out to waitlist applicants in lottery order as additional units or opportunities become available. They expect the property will be fully leased by the end of the year.
Is this a gated community?
No. It’ll be freely accessible, fully inclusive and very much a part of the Hickory Ridge neighborhood. Residents will make their own decisions about how they want to spend their time and with whom they want to associate. Patuxent Commons will be a springboard for people with and without disabilities to experience an even greater degree of engagement with the larger community.
are apartments for rent or sale?
All units are rentals.
How was it funded?
A diverse set of funding sources helped make the project possible. Public funds are an important component of capital costs; the Howard County government committed $5.8 million of county funds, and major state, federal and private loans, grants, and equity are part of the $44 million project budget.
Is this project only for people with autism?
No. While Autism Society of Maryland (formerly Howard County Autism Society) has a special interest in addressing the needs of individuals with autism, this project will serve individuals with a range of disabilities, as well as individuals with typical abilities.
What is the Unit Mix at the site?
The unit mix was selected to target the populations we seek to serve. See chart below.
| Unit Type | Total Units | Percentage of Units |
| 1 Bedroom | 43 | 56.5% |
| 2 Bedroom | 27 | 35.5% |
| 3 Bedroom | 6 | 8% |
| 76 |
What are the unit set-asides at the property?
See charts below.
| Unit Type | Total Units | Percentage of Units |
| Disability | 19 | 25% |
| Individual/Family | 27 | 35% |
| Senior * | 30 | 40% |
| TOTAL | 76 |
*To comply with Fair Housing, Senior Units are a “Preference” and cannot exclude seniors with minor children.
| Unit Type | <30% AMI (Disability Units) | 60% AMI | Market |
| 1 Bedroom | 12 | 28 | 3 |
| 2 Bedroom | 7 | 16 | 4 |
| 3 Bedroom | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 19 | 50 | 7 |
| % | 25% | 66% | 9% |
AMI = Area Median Income, as determined annually by HUD
What project research have you undertaken and community input have you engaged to date?
We invested considerable time and resources in due diligence activities, including development of program guidelines, preliminary market research, financial feasibility, and initial architectural design concepts. We’ve also held conversations, large and small, with community members to actively seek their advice and input regarding the development of this concept, including a series of “user design” sessions with prospective residents and stakeholders to gather additional input that informed the planning and development of Patuxent Commons.
Patuxent Commons 