November 5, 2019: Yesterday the Baltimore County Council passed the HOME Act, critical civil rights legislation that will stop landlords from discriminating based on a tenant’s “source of income.” This law will open up fair housing opportunities throughout the County — helping persons with disabilities obtain accessible housing and allowing working mothers to move into the catchment area of higher performing schools. Introduced by County Executive Johnny Olszewski, the HOME Act is foundational to ongoing efforts by the Public Justice Center, Homeless Persons Representation Project, Disability Rights Maryland, ACLU of Maryland, Maryland Legal Aid, Baltimore County NAACP, Bridge Maryland, and many other allies to remedy decades of discrimination in County housing policy that created and perpetuated racial and economic segregation. Thank you to County Executive Johnny Olszewski who led the charge and to Council Chair Quirk, Councilman Patoka, Councilman Jones, and Councilwoman Bevins for voting in support. And many thanks to the coalition of grassroots organizations in the County, including the Baltimore County Voters for Fair Housing, supporting this bill that was critical to its success. Read more about the HOME Act in this Baltimore Sun article.
