Md. lawmakers introduce 2021 Housing Justice Package, hope to help renters and homeowners
MARYLAND – Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are finding themselves having to make tough decisions like choosing between buying groceries and paying rent. That’s why a group of Maryland lawmakers and leaders are working on passing the 2021 Housing Justice legislative package. The three bills would overhaul the eviction process and provide emergency protections for homeowners and renters. “There’s no end in sight. We need to act, and we need to act quickly,” said Attorney General Brian Frosh.
The COVID-19 Eviction Relief Act of 2021 would cover renter protections. The bill calls for an expansion and extension of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and the CDC’s orders to protect renters from eviction through 2021. Plus, it would provide financial relief for landlords through a statewide program that matches state and county funds. Under the bill, lease non-renewals without good cause would be prohibited. For example, rent delinquency and lease expiration would not be causes to end a lease. Late fees, interest charges, and rent increases through the state of emergency would also be prohibited.
Meanwhile, homeowners would be protected under the Homeowner Relief Act of 2021. The bill would extend and codify Gov. Hogan’s foreclosure moratorium through the state of emergency for homeowners and small landlords. This piece of legislation would also require mortgage services to allow homeowners to pause or reduce their payments during the state of emergency. It would also establish a default repayment option by deferring missed mortgage payments for homeowners and small landlords who have run out of forbearance options.
The third part of the package is an overhaul of Maryland’s eviction process. The Eviction Diversion and Defense would require early resort to rental assistance before a landlord can start the eviction process. It would also establish a two-phase proceeding and Eviction Diversion Program. The program would let landlords and renters find an alternative resolution to eviction. This would give renters more time to seek counsel and build up their defense. It would also give judges more power to delay an eviction in an emergency situation.
Court fees for filing an eviction would also be raised under the bill. Currently, the price tag on the court fee for evictions is $15. The national average is $120. “These low filing fees cause landlords to file serial eviction cases,” said Attorney General Frosh.
Attorney General Frosh says that fee would not be allowed to be passed on to renters, and would fund civil legal services. Those services include Right to Counsel, which provides low-income renters with a right to a lawyer in eviction cases. Attorney General Frosh says these issues run deep – so change needs to come from the roots up. “The reforms we’re talking about addressing are structural inequalities that prevent access to housing, and each is worthy of our collective efforts,” said Attorney General Frosh.
Since the renter and homeowner protections will be filed as emergency bills, they’ll go into effect immediately if passed. Those two bills, along with the Eviction Diversion and Defense will be considered once the next legislative session starts. For more details on the 2021 Housing Justice Package, click here.
