Our Founders
Jim and Patty Rouse, inspired by a community-based group in Washington, D.C., founded Enterprise in 1982 to see that all low-income people have the opportunity for affordable housing and to move up and out of poverty.James W. Rouse
(April 26, 1914 - April 9, 1996)James Rouse spent his adult life working with the American city—its problems and its opportunities—both as a developer and as a member of various public interest organizations.
In the 1960s, he focused on the development of Columbia, the planned community in Maryland. In the 1970s, The Rouse Company developed the festival marketplace concept and opened Faneuil Hall in Boston. Jim retired as CEO of The Rouse Company in 1979 and in 1982 he and wife Patty launched The Enterprise Foundation, now known as Enterprise.
He was a member of President Eisenhower's Task Force on Housing in 1953 and of President Reagan's Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives in 1982. In 1987, he became chairman of the National Housing Task Force, which made proposals to Congress in March 1988 for a new housing program. The report formed the basis for comprehensive housing legislation signed into law by President Bush in November 1990. Jim was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by President Clinton in September 1995. He passed away at the age of 81 at his home in Columbia, Md.
Patricia "Patty" Rouse
Co-Founder (May 4, 1926 - March 5, 2012)Enterprise mourns the recent passing of Patricia “Patty” Rouse, who co-founded The Enterprise Foundation with her husband, James Rouse, in 1982. She served as vice president and secretary and was a member of the Board of Trustees of the organization (now Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.). She also served as secretary and as a member of the Board of Directors of Enterprise Community Investment, Inc.
Patty served on the board of Jubilee Housing, Inc. of Washington, D.C.; and the National Low Income Housing Coalition. In 1998, Patty was named Housing Person of the Year by the National Housing Council and in 2008 received the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights’ Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award, just two of many accolades, honors and appointments she received during the course of her life.
Contributions can be made to The Patty Rouse Fund to support Enterprise’s work with the poor. Please direct donations to: The Patty Rouse Fund, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., 10227 Wincopin Circle, American City Building, Suite 500, Columbia, MD 21044-3400 or contact Anita Hammen at 410-772-2466.