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Baltimore County HRC to review Article 29 language amid concerns about source-of-income discrimination
Summary
Commissioners discussed reviewing county Article 29 language after a recent judgment they said allowed a housing provider to deny a voucher holder; the commission plans to meet with county legal staff to consider amendment proposals.
Members of the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission discussed pursuing clarifications or amendments to Article 29 of the county code to address source-of-income discrimination in housing.
Why it matters: Commissioners said a recent ruling in Baltimore County set a precedent that allowed a housing provider to deny an applicant who used a housing voucher because the applicant''s income did not meet a landlord''s three-times-rent threshold. Commissioners discussed developing language that would limit any three-times income calculation to the portion of rent for which the applicant is responsible when they use guaranteed income sources such as vouchers.
Commissioners said they planned a meeting between the commission, county director Coleman and representatives from the county legal department to examine Article 29 and to draft amendment proposals. One commissioner noted there is a continuing (rolling) opportunity to submit amendment proposals under the Article 29 process.
Speakers cautioned that changing local ordinance language is a significant undertaking that requires time, legal review and ultimately council approval.
Next steps: The commission scheduled follow-up conversation(s) with legal staff to identify specific language changes and to evaluate the timeline and feasibility of submitting amendments.
Ending: No ordinance change was voted on at the meeting; commissioners agreed to continue work with county legal staff and to prepare possible amendment language for future consideration.
