On November 5th, Mission First Housing Group in conjunction with its partners, Autism Society of Maryland (AUSOM) and Howard County Housing Commission, hosted the Grand Opening of Patuxent Commons – a brand new 76-unit mixed income apartment community for adults with disabilities, older adults and families – at 6441 Freetown Road, Columbia, MD.

More than 200 supporters and project partners celebrated at the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony along with Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Maryland State Senators Guy Guzzone and Clarence Lam, Maryland Delegates Jessica Feldmark and Vanessa Atterbeary, Howard County Councilwoman Christiana Rigby, Jessica Klaitman from the Office of United States Senator Chris Van Hollen, Robyne Chaconas from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Community Development Administration, Secretary Carol Beatty from the Maryland Department of Disabilities and Peter Engel from the Howard County Housing Commission.

“Affordable, accessible housing that meets the needs of our seniors and community members with disabilities is often hard to come by,” said Senator Van Hollen. “The opening of Patuxent Commons and the public-private partnership behind it are helping to fill this critical gap – and I was glad to secure federal funding to support Mission First and the Autism Society of Maryland’s efforts to build a vibrant new community in Howard County anchored by modern housing where Marylanders can live with dignity and independence.”

Patuxent Commons focuses on utilizing housing as a springboard to maximize individual potential and facilitate community integration for people of all ages, abilities and incomes. The development is envisioned as an 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.

“We are taking another step towards a more inclusive, compassionate, and connected community,” said County Executive Ball. “Years in the making, Patuxent Commons took a village to bring it to life. This intergenerational community represents the best of who we are. It represents the power of collaboration. It represents the possibilities that we can unlock when we dream boldly. And, most of all, it represents our compassion as a community,” said Ball. “I want to especially thank our friends at Mission First Housing Group, Autism Society of Maryland, Howard County Housing Commission, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Maryland Department of Disabilities, and my state and local elected partners for bringing this vision to life.”

Patuxent Commons will also include more than 8,000 square feet of community meeting space that will be used for resident programming and services. The site provides an ideal location for residents with shopping, employment, recreation and transit opportunities in proximity to the housing community.

The intergenerational concept for Patuxent Commons was developed by AUSOM to help address the housing instability and isolation faced by adults with disabilities and seniors, and to enhance their social connectedness through relationship building and community engagement.

Residents are moving in, and we expect to be fully occupied by the end of the year!

On November 18th, Mission First Housing Group hosted the Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Mid City Apartments, a 53-apartment affordable housing community for formerly homeless individuals and families in Center City Philadelphia at 2025 Chestnut Street.

Notable speakers at the event included Philadelphia Councilmember Jeffrey Young; Mark Dodds, Deputy Director for Philadelphia Department of Housing and Community Development; Roberta Cancellier, Deputy Director for Housing Services for the City of Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services; Nakia Parker, Manager of Eastern Region for Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency; and Jordan Bishop, Executive Director, Community Development Banking for JPMorganChase. Attendees also included residents of Mid City Apartments and project partners.

“Mid City Apartments was last renovated well over 25 years ago and the recapitalization and renovations extend the life of the property,” said Thomas Queenan, President and CEO of Mission First Housing Group. “It was important for us to have this unique property in Center City Philadelphia remain affordable for individuals and families coming from homelessness and shelters so they have a stable place to call home.”

Mid City Apartments is a key part of the City of Philadelphia’s continuum of care for homeless individuals and families with direct referrals from the Office of Homeless Services. Mission First has committed to continue that support by designating 100% of the new units to be leased via referrals from the City’s permanent supportive housing referral process. The residents are extremely low-income with 75% having incomes below 20% of area median income. To meet their needs, Mission First obtained a rent support contract for 48 of the 53 apartments through HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program.

“Preserving existing housing developments is one of the most efficient and effective ways to ensure quality affordable housing is available for those who need it most,” said PHFA CEO and Executive Director Robin Wiessmann, who was unable to attend in person. “PHFA is proud to provide financial support to Mission First to ensure Mid-City Apartments remains a viable, affordable community for Philadelphians for years to come.”

Mission First Housing Group renovated Mid City Apartments by converting 48 single room occupancies into 41 efficiencies, each apartment with a full kitchen and bathroom; it preserved all 12 existing one-bedroom apartments. All apartments received new flooring, appliances, light fixtures, doors and kitchen and bathroom fixtures and finishes. A new roof and windows as well as new hot water heaters and HVAC systems were installed. Common areas received new finishes, lighting and cabinetry. The sprinkler, fire pump and fire alarm systems and much of the electrical system were also replaced.

Mid City Apartments has a unique structure for resident support. Alongside the full-time property management team at Mid City Apartments, Mission First offers a blend of internal resident services on-site for individuals and families and the extended support of local social services partner Horizon House. This provides wraparound support to facilitate the residents’ journeys to self-sufficiency.

The project was financed through the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Housing and Community Development, FHLB New York funds, Capital Magnet Funds and PHFA PHARE Funds. R4 Capital is the investor and JPMorganChase provided construction/bridge financing.

The recapitalization of Mid City Apartments extends the life of the property, maintains its deep affordability and provides safe, stable, attractive housing for its formerly homeless residents.

On November 20th, Mission First hosted the Topping Off Ceremony for 1910 University Senior Apartments, a 90-apartment affordable housing community for seniors in Wheaton, MD on the former underutilized parking lot of the Har Tzeon – Agudath Achim synagogue. Construction started in July and should be completed by fall 2026.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was joined by community members and project partners, including Ethan Goldrich and Rabbi Steven Suson from Har Tzeon – Agudath Achim.



The project includes a mix of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments that are all affordable between 30% Area Median Income (AMI) – 70% AMI. The building will also include an onsite management office, fitness room, club room with raised patio, laundry lounge on each floor and rooftop terrace on the 6th floor. Along with housing, Mission First will create a new public multiuse path providing convenient access to downtown Wheaton for residents of 1910 and the community at-large.

This project allows seniors to affordably age in place in a community that they love.

In October, Mission First received wonderful news from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). Mission First’s West Philadelphia Preservation project received a $1,676,177 low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) allocation as one of only 41 projects state-wide funded for the 2025 awards.

The West Philadelphia Preservation portfolio will preserve 40 scattered site rowhomes in need of renovations – 80% are three, four and five-bedroom homes providing housing for large families – that comprises our Avondale, Ruby, Woodcrest and Melon portfolios in West Philadelphia. The project will also include the design and construction of a new accessible apartment building with 5 units in West Philadelphia adjacent to our existing properties.

Housing preservation is critical in Philadelphia and a cornerstone of our mission to ensure long-term quality affordable housing. 

On October 8th, Mission First hosted our 12th Welcome Home fundraising event at the Skyline Room and Terrace of the Free Library of Philadelphia. Nearly 150 friends, partners and vendors came out to support Mission First.

At the event, attendees enjoyed good food, drinks, music and the company of our sponsors, supporters and special guests such as Amanda David, Deputy Commissioner of the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disability Services, and Dave Thomas, CEO & President of the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC).

We also debuted this year’s fundraising video featuring our CEO Thomas Queenan and Director of Program Management Melissa Mascolo, as well as a cameo from Dave Thomas from PHDC. The video highlights how, in 1988, Mission First was formed as a solution to homelessness in Philadelphia and that Mid City Apartments is a perfect illustration of how our work over 36 years continues to address this critical issue. Resident Miss Betty was also featured, sharing her story from shelter to Mid City Apartments in an emotional interview. Click here to watch the video.

Our 2025 fundraising events, which included our spring Building Home fundraising event in Washington, DC, raised over $237,000 in overall revenue to support housing resources and services for our residents. Thank you to our over 70 sponsors for supporting these events and the work they help to fund.

Mission First's Resident Services Department provides resources, support and an array of programming designed to help our residents overcome challenges, meet individual and family goals and thrive in their homes and communities.

Your donation today supports our work to:

• Stock our food pantries
• Provide health screenings and health education programs
• Access utility and rental assistance programs
• Provide financial wellness classes
• Offer out of school time programming for young residents
• Provide one-on-one support to individuals in need

These critical services would not be possible without support from donors like you. Please consider making your gift today.