Two invaluable pieces of legislation are before the General Assembly in its 2012 session, and your support is needed to advocate for these bills! Activate Your Inner Citizen (AYIC)!
A Briefing was held on February 15th, 2012 to discuss the two pieces of legislation. The event was co-sponsored by CPHA and the Community Law Center.
Support Neighborhood Stability
Community Law Center Executive Director Kristine J. Dunkerton spoke on the proposed amendments to the nuisance abatement and local code enforcement section of the Annotated Code of Maryland’s Real Property Article. This law is a part of the “Community Bill of Rights”. This law specifically focuses on buildings that have had code violations; properties that may be endangering the lives of those nearby. These amendments will help communities to take effective legal action against owners of properties that are injurious to the health, welfare, or safety of neighboring residents. Click here for an overview of the proposed changes.
Downloadable Letters to Sign
Here are letters of support for the Senate and House versions of the bill to make it easier for communities to pursue code enforcement action against nuisance properties. Please add the name of your elected official, your signature and home address, and send them along to help give community associations a tool to address dangerous properties in their neighborhood!
Generic letter of support for SB 130 (Nuisance Properties) - this is for the State Senators
Generic letter of support for HB 365 (Nuisance Properties) - this is for the State Delegates
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Support an Anti-Discrimination Law
Unfortunately this bill did not pass during the 2012 Session. The Maryland HOME Act islegislation that would prohibit source of income discrimination by landlords. During CPHA’s Briefing on February 15th, the presentation was introduced by CPHA Board President, Joshua Civin, and the speaker was CPHA Board Member and Maryland Disability Law Center Executive Director, Virginia Knowlton. “Source of income” is defined by the Public Justice Center as “any lawful source of funds to be used in the rental purchase of housing” such as salary, government or private assistance, alimony or child support, or sale of property. Without state legislation prohibiting discrimination against tenants based solely on source of income, low wage workers, seniors, single mothers and other vulnerable populations would continue to be adversely affected, and poverty in Maryland would stay as concentrated as it is now. Click here for an overview of the bill.
