Counties Support Additional Tools to Address Housing Concerns

On February 24, 2023, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko testified before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 684 – Landlord and Tenant – Residential Leases and Holdover Tenancies – Local Just Cause Termination Provisions.

The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will consider the bill’s cross-file, SB 504, on March 7.

HB 684 authorizes counties to enact, through local law or ordinance, provisions prohibiting a landlord of residential property from failing to renew a lease or from terminating a holdover tenancy without just cause. In effect, this legislation equips local government with an optional means of mitigating the displacement of Marylanders at a time when affordable housing is particularly scarce.

From the MACo Testimony:

Several counties have sought the authority from HB 684 to protect vulnerable constituents facing eviction for reasons outside of their control. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, evictions have received increased scrutiny as average household debt due to unpaid rent and volatility in the employment marketplace reached significantly elevated levels. HB 684 simply provides a tool for counties to prevent housing instability and inequity tailored to the needs of their respective communities.