As expected the Baltimore County Council passed the controversial HOME ACT, which would make it illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to a potential tenant based on the person’s source of income, just as renters can’t be discriminated against based on their race, sex, religion, and other legally protected groups. The bill passed along party lines 4 to 3.
The four Democratic Council members voted for the bill and the three GOP councilman voted no.
County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. released a statement thanking the Council for passing this bill.
“Today is a major step forward for Baltimore County. I thank the County Council for recognizing that discrimination in any form is wrong and for working with me in taking this critical step to fulfill our legal and moral obligations,” Olszewski said.
“Together we will continue to expand economic opportunity, improve equity, and build a better Baltimore County.”
Fifth District Councilman David Marks explained why he was going to vote “no” over this past weekend.
“I posted a poll in Perry Hall Neighbors about the proposed HOME Act. The results are striking – 463 against and only 28 votes for. I posted an identical poll on Loch Raven and Towson Facebook pages, although there are no comparable Facebook communities with large number of members. But still, even in Democratic areas, there is strong opposition to this bill,” Marks explained.
“I have received many emails and phone calls about this legislation. Simply put, the supporters tend to live in areas – with almost no rental properties – that will not be affected by the HOME Act. It’s a point I made at the work session – the affordable housing settlement linked to legislation is fundamentally unfair and flawed. A wealthy neighborhood will not be affected. Those communities right in the middle – Ridgeleigh, Seven Courts, Carney – will bear the greatest impact.”
Seventh District Councilman Todd Crandell also released a statement before his “no” vote.
“A common theme in Tuesday’s Council Work Session testimony regarding the HOME Act was that the Housing Voucher program is deeply flawed, out of date, and administered horribly. An overhaul on the federal level is necessary,” Crandell explained.
“How does it make sense to require property owners. – against their will and against their rights – to participate in such a bad program? It doesn’t. The bill should be voted down.”
