Residents in Guilford Gardens in Columbia could have access to computers and libraries in community rooms, under federal legislation.
“This funding is a federal investment in helping residents of Howard County?s community housing help themselves,” said Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., referring to a spending bill recently passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee that includes $400,000 for Howard?s affordable housing initiative.
“These resources will give users the tools they need to remain competitive and pursue new job opportunities,” Mikulski said. “I will continue to fight to make Howard County a priority in the federal checkbook.”
The funding would help payfor community rooms in affordable housing communities including Hilltop apartments and Tiber Hudson Senior Community, both in Ellicott City, said Stacy Spann, director of the county?s Department of Housing and Community Development.
The federal funding would pay for the design and construction of the community rooms as well as any equipment, according to Mikulski.
“First, Senator Mikulski did a tremendous job in pushing this to the forefront for us,” Spann said.
“Our aim is to equip these places with libraries and computers so they can access information but also have the opportunity to advance themselves.”
The bill next moves to the Senate floor for a vote, which hasn?t been scheduled.
The overall bill would provide the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development with $42.37 billion, about $3.9 billion higher than President Bush?s request, according to Mikulski.
Other initiatives in the bill would set aside funding to support shelters for homeless veterans and senior citizens, as well as low-income housing.
Mikulski is a member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations subcommittee.
